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Although you can get stuff into space with a supergun, getting stuff into space without smashing it to bits from the acceleration is a good deal harder. As for
by orib 18y ago
Although you can get stuff into space with a supergun, getting stuff into space without smashing it to bits from the acceleration is a good deal harder.
As for solar power satellites, if you're talking about powering earthbound stuff with them, the cost of getting the satellites up doesn't seem to me like it'd be the major issue. I'm not an expert, but from what I do know, the bigger problem would be getting the power back down to earth efficiently and cheaply.
- stcredzero 18y ago1) Building electronic components that can survive 10,000 G is routine. 2) You could send up bulk materials, like thin film collectors, sheet metal, rolls of wire. 3) Getting the power back down is a solved problem. Microwaves do it with 50% efficiency. This cost is already factored into various economic analysis of SPS.