TRIPS TO THE MOON.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVII, Issue 20596, 21 June 1930, Page 26 (Supplement)

TRIPS TO THE MOON.

TWO INVENTORS' RACE.

HONOUR OF FIRST EFFORT.

GIANT ROCKET MACHINES.

The question of making an attempt-to take a trij# to tho moon is engaging tho attention of more than ono person in tho world. A short articlo published on this page last week gave the views expressed by M. Robert Esnault-Pelterie, a French scientist, who says 'ho considers that such a trip may' be possible In about 15 years' time. - lie estimated that the journey would occupy about a couplfi of months and that the cost of tile n6cesSary machine for the purpose tvoillcl' be about £450,000. • . A recont message frOm New York published in England by tho Sunday Chronicle states that a dramatic race to decide who shall be the first mah to make an attempt to reach the moon is now taking place between, young inventors in New York and Paris. Early in July, according to this' message, they both hope to realise man's greatest dream of shooting themselves to'the earth's satellite in giant rocket machines. , '' v . .. .

These daring pioneers of space are Mr. Walter B. Bevan, a wealthy New Yorker,

and Herr Robert Ivrask, "a young German. The latter lias Studied the. problems of inter-planetary communication for many years. -• ■ Mr. Bevan, who is now putting the finishing touches to a huge projectile with which he hopes to make his attempt, stated in an interview that he Was confident that he would be able to land on the moon in his " space express." " Before I make my major experiment," far. Bevan said, " I intend to make an experiment with a smaller rocket which will be empty except for_ explosive charges which Will pi'opel it through space. If all goes well I shall then make my big effort in a rocket apparatus in which I shall be a passenger." Mr. Bevan says he intends to take one other passenger with him and also a dog and a cat. Food,for six months will be stored in the apparatus. "In the tail of my machine," he said, " will be a number of gigantic fuses or rockets in which will be contained a mixture of hydrogen and oxygen. These will drive the giant projectile through space at a terrific speed. " I" expect the journey to the moon will take about six weeks. lam making certain arrangements for a return journey, but they will depend very largely on conditions."

Herr Krask's apparatus, according to the story, is also a giant rocket propelled through space by gases. It is being constructed in a lonely spot in Silesia, and he said that he hoped to have it ready for initial experiments early in Juno.