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Subject: Futuristic propulsion systems
Herc the Merc    9/29/2005 5:41:25 PM
Ion impulse engine, what next- any Isaac Assimov readers here??
 
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Herald12345       8/4/2009 6:46:59 AM

before focsuing on interplanetary or even interstellar travel, why not give more support to developing a Space elevator? Currently it costs something like US$10K to lift one pund into orbit.. some projections say a space elevator could do the job for $100/lb. Hey, I'm willing to wait 50 years to get the thing done but to me it's probably one of the key technologies we'll havew to develop if we ever really want to explore and exploit space.

Because we don't want a 2 billion tonne cable wrapping itself  around the planet at Mach 1.34+.
 
They never mention what happens if the mass anchor fails.
 
Herald
 
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mabie       8/4/2009 9:08:13 AM



before focsuing on interplanetary or even interstellar travel, why not give more support to developing a Space elevator? Currently it costs something like US$10K to lift one pund into orbit.. some projections say a space elevator could do the job for $100/lb. Hey, I'm willing to wait 50 years to get the thing done but to me it's probably one of the key technologies we'll havew to develop if we ever really want to explore and exploit space.





Because we don't want a 2 billion tonne cable wrapping itself  around the planet at Mach 1.34+.

 

They never mention what happens if the mass anchor fails.
The cable was going to be built out of bucky balls or something super strong and lightweight.. just one of the many technical challenges to be overcome but the rewards are worth it.. no rush though 50 years is fine with me. 


 

Herald



 
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Das Kardinal       8/4/2009 12:17:56 PM



before focsuing on interplanetary or even interstellar travel, why not give more support to developing a Space elevator? Currently it costs something like US$10K to lift one pund into orbit.. some projections say a space elevator could do the job for $100/lb. Hey, I'm willing to wait 50 years to get the thing done but to me it's probably one of the key technologies we'll havew to develop if we ever really want to explore and exploit space.





Because we don't want a 2 billion tonne cable wrapping itself  around the planet at Mach 1.34+.

 

They never mention what happens if the mass anchor fails.


 

Herald


Heh, Herald playing the "hammer of harsh reality" again :-) 
Actually, the Mars Trilogy by K.S. Robinson does describe what happens when a space elevator fails, albeit on Mars with a lower gravity and air density. It's still a very catastrophic event. The same thing on Earth would be utterly devastating.
I used to be a big space elevator fan, but I've mellowed a bit. Safety reasons are a factor, plus the rather huge engineering issues with such a megastructure. 
Orion drive on Earth is a big no-no. As awesome as the concept is, I very much doubt the idea of detonating a series of  nukes (even small yield ones) inside our atmosphere would garner much popular support (and there may be treaties against it, too...).
Laser launch is another possible way, but still far from realization.

I hope work on hypersonics proceeds successfully. A dual stage Sänger-like space plane ? 
Maybe astronomers should discover an asteroid on a collision course for Earth. That would light a fire under the world's space agencies and give them all the funding they need :-P 
 
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