Difference between revisions of "Colonising Space/Access to space"
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| + | We now have access to space using rockets. However this is 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. So far, we have only dipped our toes into space; if we want to really dive in, we need an efficient, reliable way of getting large amounts of material beyond the Earth's gravitational pull. | ||
| + | |||
| + | While incremental improvements in rocket technology may suffice, several very different ways of getting off the planet have been proposed. | ||
| + | |||
*Multi-stage rocket | *Multi-stage rocket | ||
*Aircraft piggy-back | *Aircraft piggy-back | ||
*{{wp|Scramjet|Scramjet}} / rocket hybrid, such as the {{wp|Single-stage-to-orbit|single stage to orbit}} (SSTO) {{wp|Skylon|''Skylon''}} launch vehicle | *{{wp|Scramjet|Scramjet}} / rocket hybrid, such as the {{wp|Single-stage-to-orbit|single stage to orbit}} (SSTO) {{wp|Skylon|''Skylon''}} launch vehicle | ||
| − | *Balloon platform | + | *Balloon platform. |
| − | * | + | *Space guns like [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Project_HARP HARP] |
*Other theoretical methods | *Other theoretical methods | ||
**Linear motor assisted launch from high altitude terrain | **Linear motor assisted launch from high altitude terrain | ||
| − | **{{wp|Space_elevator|Space elevator}} ([[carbon nanotubes]] are of the | + | **{{wp|Space_elevator|Space elevator}}. Picture a satellite tethered to the Earth {{em}} a large weight in geosynchronous orbit is attached by a strong, long, light cable (probably made using [[carbon nanotubes]], though there is controversy over whether these can be made strong enough) to an anchor-point on the planet's surface. Robots could climb this cable, carrying payloads into space. This is expected to reduce the cost of transporting a pound of material into space to $100 <sup>[http://www.canada.com/saskatoonstarphoenix/news/story.html?id=3dd5119f-1951-46a5-b4af-bd9eb49228a9]</sup>, which would completely open up space to all kinds of new ventures. However, there are still many challenges to be overcome before a space elevator is viable: the robots that ascend the cable need a reliable power source, there are dangers of the cable being snapped by lightning strikes, asteroids or orbiting debris and there is doubt as to whether cables can be made strong enough to withstand the tension generated by such an enormous structure. |
| + | **A {{wp|Launch_loop|launch loop}} (illustrated [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hCwVjUZV92Q here]) is perhaps more feasible than a space elevator. It is essentially a conveyor belt to space. It consists of a loop of iron cable anchored on the surface of the Earth at one end, and at a height of 125km above the Earth at the other end. The loop passes through electromagnetic bearings at each end. These spin the cable at high speeds, creating a centrifugal force that holds it aloft. Payloads can attach to the cable magnetically and ride it into space, detaching at the end. | ||
Revision as of 02:00, 25 June 2010
We now have access to space using rockets. However this is an expensive way to get into space (over $5000 per pound of material launched[1]) and the failure rate is high. So far, we have only dipped our toes into space; if we want to really dive in, we need an efficient, reliable way of getting large amounts of material beyond the Earth's gravitational pull.
While incremental improvements in rocket technology may suffice, several very different ways of getting off the planet have been proposed.
- Multi-stage rocket
- Aircraft piggy-back
- Scramjet
/ rocket hybrid, such as the single stage to orbit (SSTO) Skylon launch vehicle - Balloon platform.
- Space guns like HARP
- Other theoretical methods
- Linear motor assisted launch from high altitude terrain
- Space elevator . Picture a satellite tethered to the Earth — a large weight in geosynchronous orbit is attached by a strong, long, light cable (probably made using carbon nanotubes, though there is controversy over whether these can be made strong enough) to an anchor-point on the planet's surface. Robots could climb this cable, carrying payloads into space. This is expected to reduce the cost of transporting a pound of material into space to $100 [2], which would completely open up space to all kinds of new ventures. However, there are still many challenges to be overcome before a space elevator is viable: the robots that ascend the cable need a reliable power source, there are dangers of the cable being snapped by lightning strikes, asteroids or orbiting debris and there is doubt as to whether cables can be made strong enough to withstand the tension generated by such an enormous structure.
- A launch loop (illustrated here) is perhaps more feasible than a space elevator. It is essentially a conveyor belt to space. It consists of a loop of iron cable anchored on the surface of the Earth at one end, and at a height of 125km above the Earth at the other end. The loop passes through electromagnetic bearings at each end. These spin the cable at high speeds, creating a centrifugal force that holds it aloft. Payloads can attach to the cable magnetically and ride it into space, detaching at the end.
