Difference between revisions of "Colonising Space/Access to space"
(This section needs writing up properly to do (this huge) subject justice. Have moved some content to talk page for keeping as has useful info, but currently will point to other resource until re-write) |
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We now have access to space using rockets. However this is currently an expensive way to get into space (over $5000 per pound of material launched<sup>[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Space_elevator_economics#Costs_of_current_systems_.28rockets.29]</sup>) and the failure rate is high. This severely limits what we can do in space: it is the main obstacle to [[Energy|space solar power]], space tourism and large-scale space habitats. So far, we have only dipped our toes into space; if we want to really dive in we have to make spaceflight cheap and reliable. | We now have access to space using rockets. However this is currently an expensive way to get into space (over $5000 per pound of material launched<sup>[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Space_elevator_economics#Costs_of_current_systems_.28rockets.29]</sup>) and the failure rate is high. This severely limits what we can do in space: it is the main obstacle to [[Energy|space solar power]], space tourism and large-scale space habitats. So far, we have only dipped our toes into space; if we want to really dive in we have to make spaceflight cheap and reliable. | ||
| − | It may be that using abundant solar energy and seawater, liquid oxygen and hydrogen fuelled rockets | + | It may be that using abundant solar energy and seawater and [[advanced automation]], well known technologies like liquid oxygen and hydrogen fuelled rockets might end up becoming cheap and common-place, likely in conjunction with solid-rocket boosters like the Space Shuttle that use metal fuels and inorganic oxidizers made from [[Material|common elements]]. |
| − | Although many other interesting launch systems are thought to be technically feasible ranging from single stage to orbit space planes (SSTOs), electromagnetic and balloon platform launch assist to more exotic launch loops and geosynchronous space elevators. | + | Although many other interesting launch systems are thought to be technically feasible ranging from single stage to orbit space planes (SSTOs), electromagnetic and balloon platform launch assist to more exotic launch loops and geosynchronous space elevators. Information on these alternative launch methods are covered in more detail in this [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Non-rocket_spacelaunch WP article]. |
Revision as of 16:18, 3 January 2011
We now have access to space using rockets. However this is currently an expensive way to get into space (over $5000 per pound of material launched[1]) and the failure rate is high. This severely limits what we can do in space: it is the main obstacle to space solar power, space tourism and large-scale space habitats. So far, we have only dipped our toes into space; if we want to really dive in we have to make spaceflight cheap and reliable.
It may be that using abundant solar energy and seawater and advanced automation, well known technologies like liquid oxygen and hydrogen fuelled rockets might end up becoming cheap and common-place, likely in conjunction with solid-rocket boosters like the Space Shuttle that use metal fuels and inorganic oxidizers made from common elements.
Although many other interesting launch systems are thought to be technically feasible ranging from single stage to orbit space planes (SSTOs), electromagnetic and balloon platform launch assist to more exotic launch loops and geosynchronous space elevators. Information on these alternative launch methods are covered in more detail in this WP article.
