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The problem with beamed propulsion is that you still need a rocket, or some equivalent thereof to stop going, whenever you get to your destination. False. Robe
by stcredzero 8y ago
The problem with beamed propulsion is that you still need a rocket, or some equivalent thereof to stop going, whenever you get to your destination.
False. Robert Forward has a technique for deceleration for interstellar lightsail craft, which is described in Rocheworld and one of his science books. Magsails using beamed particle propulsion can also exploit the interstellar medium to decelerate without onboard fuel.
Not an issue for flybys, but an issue if you want to get into an orbit.
Carrying a small rocket for a circularization burn is vastly cheaper than a 1st stage. This is covered in Jordin Kare's modular laser launch proposal, and this technique was also considered for Bull's light gas space gun. Those can produce launch economics approaching those of space elevators.
- Alupis 8y ago> False. Robert Forward has a technique Sorry, but you're citing a science fiction author as proposing a credible method, yet don't even state what that method is. Yes, I know Robert Forward used to work in aerospace, but his fiction writings are... fiction. He's been out of the industry since 2002 and a hand-wavy "he has a technique" doesn't strike me as being particularly credible.
- stcredzero 8y agoSorry, but you're citing a science fiction author as proposing a credible method Sorry, but he was also a noted physicist. yet don't even state what that method is. http://lmgtfy.com/?q=Robert+Forward+laser+sail+deceleration http://lmgtfy.com/?q=Robert+Forward+laser+sail+deceleration