Will We Ever Stop Using Rockets to Get to Space?

space,com ^ | August 19, 2018 08:01am ET | By Ross Pomeroy, RealClearScience |

[Drumbo]

BM

[FrankR]

How about we build the wall first!?

[Vaquero]

The tube idea is great but not for humans (at least not without a seriouslength of tube). To achieve that speed without imparting too much g forces would require a speed up section of tube like 60-100 miles long. Then once exiting the tube at 18,000 feet at 19,000 mph(their speed number) you would hit a thinning but still substantially cross section of atmosphere to require some serious heat shielding.

It could work. But would require quite a super long lead.

The tube idea as a form of transportation across continents is compelling. Take the same maglev vacuum tube and lay it from NY to LA. Would make jet travel seem very slow.

[mad_as_he$$]

The space elevator has always had fundamental physics challenges and always will.

The trans-linear vector theory is where the answer(s) lie. /s

[trebb]

“To the Moon, Alice! To the Moon!”.......

[COBOL2Java]

The Startram Project: Shoot a Train Into Space

A tube would be built and held in the air using magnetically suspended superconducting cables and high strength structural tethers. To achieve launch velocity the 1,000 mile long tube would be a vacuum and would launch the spacecraft out of the tube at an altitude of 12 miles, the speed it will be going at is 20,000mph - enough to carry it into a low orbit. To stop air from entering the vacuum tube magneto hydrodynamic pumps (MHD) would continuously expel gasses, maintaining a near-vacuum at all times. Basically a mass driver launch into space.

[a fool in paradise]

an 81 mile space tube attached to the Andes would have to contend with earthquakes

[Theophilus]

Good point

[Carriage Hill]

Musk and his Tesla scam could easily handle this. Bet he could do it for under $2-3 trillion of US Taxpayer’s monies. </sarc>

[I want the USA back]

Another stupid idea filling the pages of “science” magazines.

[EQAndyBuzz]

“Will We Ever Stop Using Rockets to Get to Space?
Yes.”

Haven’t we already done that? As I understand it, we use Russian rockets to get us into space.

[Right Wing Assault]

On the way to building these devices, maybe they could figure out a way to keep bridges from falling down.

[NonValueAdded]

will feature a 81-mile tube built up the side of a mountain

I wonder if Gerald Bull's heirs hold a patent? /obscure

[minnesota_bound]

Once we find dilithium crystals our problems will be solved.

[Psalm 73]

"Will We Ever Stop Using Rockets to Get to Space?"

Three words: L-S-D.

[Ozark Tom]

A Space Fountain applies the momentum transfer by magnetic deflection of high velocity projectiles to generate a static lift force to levitate a structure.

https://ipfs.io/ipfs/QmXoypizjW3WknFiJnKLwHCnL72vedxjQkDDP1mXWo6uco/wiki/Space_fountain.html

IPFS Distributed Web demo—avoid censorship?

https://ipfs.io/

[Magnum44]

A Space Fountain applies the momentum transfer by magnetic deflection of high velocity projectiles to generate a static lift force to levitate a structure.

[Conan the Librarian]

Fountains of Paridise and other Arthur Clarke stories.

It was a favorite method of his.

[dragnet2]

As long as were using conventional rockets, we can forget traveling into interstellar space. They’re just too slow.