Difference between revisions of "Colonising Space/Access to space"
((Balatro) I'm not disagreeing necessarily about the space gun, it is very interesting. But ultimately we are focusing on manned spaceflight here, so breakthrough tech in regard to that should be focus) |
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| − | + | We now have access to space using rockets although this is still expensive (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 quite high. This severely limits what we can do in space; it is the main obstacle to [[Energy|space solar power]] and the colonisation of space. So far, we have only dipped our toes, if we want to really dive in we have to make spaceflight cheap and reliable. | |
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| − | + | It may be that using abundant solar energy and seawater and [[advanced automation]], mature rocket technologies like liquid-fuelled rockets actually end up becoming cheap and common-place, perhaps in conjunction with solid-rocket boosters like the Space Shuttle uses that employ metal fuels and inorganic oxidizers made from [[Material|common elements]]. | |
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| − | + | [[Image:Skylon climbing.jpg|thumb|[http://www.reactionengines.co.uk/skylon.html Skylon] single-stage-to-orbit (SSTO) hybrid air-breathing/rocket space-plane designed to carry 40 tonnes of cargo or 40 passengers to low earth orbit]] | |
| − | + | However many alternative and interesting launch systems are thought to be technically (or at least theoretically) feasible ranging from single stage to orbit hybrid air-breathing/rocket space-planes (SSTOs), electromagnetic and balloon platform launch assist to more exotic space fountains, launch loops and geosynchronous space elevators. It may be that launch strategies that can have their power systems decoupled from the propellant/propulsion systems and installed on the ground may end up being more economical and efficient in terms of energy expended per unit weight lofted into space. | |
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| − | + | Information on these alternative launch methods are covered in more detail in this {{wp|Non-rocket_spacelaunch|WP article}}. | |
Latest revision as of 14:57, 15 April 2012
We now have access to space using rockets although this is still expensive (over $5000 per pound of material launched[1]) and the failure rate is quite high. This severely limits what we can do in space; it is the main obstacle to space solar power and the colonisation of space. So far, we have only dipped our toes, 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, mature rocket technologies like liquid-fuelled rockets actually end up becoming cheap and common-place, perhaps in conjunction with solid-rocket boosters like the Space Shuttle uses that employ metal fuels and inorganic oxidizers made from common elements.
However many alternative and interesting launch systems are thought to be technically (or at least theoretically) feasible ranging from single stage to orbit hybrid air-breathing/rocket space-planes (SSTOs), electromagnetic and balloon platform launch assist to more exotic space fountains, launch loops and geosynchronous space elevators. It may be that launch strategies that can have their power systems decoupled from the propellant/propulsion systems and installed on the ground may end up being more economical and efficient in terms of energy expended per unit weight lofted into space.
Information on these alternative launch methods are covered in more detail in this WP article 
.
