Colonising Space/Access to space

Skylon single-stage-to-orbit (SSTO) hybrid air-breathing space-plane capable of carrying 40 tonnes of cargo or 40 passengers to low earth orbit

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, mature 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 hybrid air-breathing space-planes (SSTOs), electromagnetic and balloon platform launch assist to more exotic space fountains, launch loops and geosynchronous space elevators. Information on these alternative launch methods are covered in more detail in this WP article .