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The Bonkers Idea to Make a Hyperloop-Style Rocket Launcher
- grizzles 10y agoThis isn't bonkers at all. It'll be absolutely necessary if we want to do anything significant in space at a reasonable cost per kilogram. For example, if you are an entrepreneur and take on the challenge to build a robot to mine an asteroid, you can't raise $200M and then fold the company when you fail on your first attempt. BTW some NASA engineers came up with this idea awhile ago and called it the Star Tram. There is a book about it.
- webmaven 10y agoSpace elevators are a possible alternative, with cargo lift OpEx estimated at $10/lb. (mostly electricity).
- z0noxz 10y ago"much like Musk’s Hyperloop" Based on the fail of Musk's Hyperloop I really don't see this to be a good idea. And I assume this will only launch capsules without humans inside.
- webmaven 10y agoBah. I hope his patent application gets shot down. LINAC/railgun launchers are an old idea, described in HeinLein's 1966 novel "The Moon is a Harsh Mistress", for example: https://books.google.com/books?id=HtuRSsAb2fEC&lpg=PP1&pg=PA248&q=catapult&f=false#v=page https://books.google.com/books?id=HtuRSsAb2fEC&lpg=PP1&pg=PA...