Glass windows

From: spacesettlers@yahoogroups.com
[mailto:spacesettlers@yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of Ed Minchau

> --- "Combs, Mike" wrote:
> > Is there a perception that glass panels in a steel frame are
> > inadequate to the task? O'Neill calculated that such could be
> > engineered at the scales of the three "Island" models of space
> > habitat. Engineering for a glass-paneled pressure hull of more
modest
> > diameter would be simpler still.
>
> Beware of little boys with slingshots.

Little boys with slingshots can hardly damage glass 5 cm thick. Pull
out a ruler and try visualizing that.

This relates to my earlier writings that I think the reason why some
people see windows as a problem to be avoided at all costs is because
they conceptualize the windows of a space habitat as having the same
characteristics as the windows in their house, instead of thinking in
terms of the actual specifications given. We don't have much common
experience with the characteristics of slabs of glass 5 cm thick.

Regards,

Mike Combs