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I am sure many people are wondering about the alternative to giant explosive tin cans: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Non-rocket_spacelaunch http://en.wikipedia.
by hartror 16y ago
I am sure many people are wondering about the alternative to giant explosive tin cans:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Non-rocket_spacelaunch http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Non-rocket_spacelaunch
- iwwr 16y agoThe light-gas gun launch + rocket hybrid is a very interesting concept. It consists of a large, but conventional light-gas gun propelling a g-hardened payload 2/3 of the way to orbital velocity, then the payload uses its own engines to accelerate the rest of the way. The scheme is advertised to cost around $400M, but we should consider that within an order of magnitude. Even at that, the opportinity to significantly lower launch costs should be embraced.
- bioh42_2 16y agoEven at that, the opportinity to significantly lower launch costs should be embraced. But didn't you read the article? It explains clearly why even halving launch costs would not make much of a difference.
- iwwr 16y agoHalving launch costs would be significant, it would save the satellite industry many billions. Note that half orbital speed discount is much more than 50% in launch energy savings.