Strategies for obtaining orbit without a rocket

jedion357's picture
jedion357
July 3, 2009 - 2:16pm
<!--[if gte mso 9]> Normal 0 MicrosoftInternetExplorer4 <![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 10]> <![endif]-->video of proposed beanstalk:

http://dsc.discovery.com/videos/2057-space-elevator.html

 

baby bean stalk now possible with today's materials (this idea inspires an upstart company called Tower Tech to try to break the megacorp NET's monopoly on communications relay stations with cheap orbital towers of this type):



http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/31710845/ns/technology_and_science-science/

 

http://dsc.discovery.com/news/2009/07/02/space-tower.html

 

other proposed methods


 

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Orbital_ring

 

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Space_fountain

 

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Launch_loop

 

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Skyhook_(structure)


 

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Space_tether

 

http://www.worldchanging.com/archives/000905.html

 

I might not be a dralasite, vrusk or yazirian but I do play one in Star Frontiers!
Comments:

beowulf's picture
beowulf
July 7, 2009 - 7:28pm
Off on a Comet by Jules Verne has another method that doesn't involve technology, but it may be a bit far-fetched.  You could update the story by replacing the comet with a moving black hole that pulls characters off the face of one planet and onto something else. 

beowulf's picture
beowulf
July 7, 2009 - 7:33pm
A magnetic rail gun can be used on moons with no atmosphere, and maybe from very high altitude mountain peaks through trace atmospheres.

Rum Rogue's picture
Rum Rogue
July 8, 2009 - 4:30am
Here is a game that lets you test a shoestring budget to get to orbit. http://armorgames.com/play/1760/hedgehog-launch
Time flies when your having rum.

Im a government employee, I dont goof-off. I constructively abuse my time.

Will's picture
Will
July 12, 2009 - 8:52pm
Thanks a lot, Rummie, you bastard! :D

Now, I'm hooked on that game, spent almost two hours trying to launch that little guy into orbit.
Even favorited it.

"You're everything that's base in humanity," Cochrane continued. "Drawing up strict, senseless rules for the sole reason of putting you at the top and excluding anyone you say doesn't belong or fit in, for no other reason than just because you say so."


—Judith and Garfield Reeves-Stephens, Federation

Rum Rogue's picture
Rum Rogue
July 13, 2009 - 10:44am
Will wrote:
Thanks a lot, Rummie, you bastard! :D

Now, I'm hooked on that game, spent almost two hours trying to launch that little guy into orbit.
Even favorited it.


You are very welcome!! Tongue out

I am glad that I am not the only one who finds it addicting.

EDIT

found another one http://armorgames.com/play/4001/hedgehog-launch-2
Time flies when your having rum.

Im a government employee, I dont goof-off. I constructively abuse my time.

Shadow Shack's picture
Shadow Shack
July 14, 2009 - 2:31am
There's a very inexpensive method available right now.

Just eat at Taco Bell. That'll generate enough thrust out of your exhaust pipe to send ya to the moon!
I'm not overly fond of Zeb's Guide...nor do I have any qualms stating why. Tongue out

My SF website

aramis's picture
aramis
July 14, 2009 - 2:01pm
Rum Rogue wrote:
Here is a game that lets you test a shoestring budget to get to orbit. http://armorgames.com/play/1760/hedgehog-launch
16 days for first try.

Rum Rogue wrote:
Will wrote:
Thanks a lot, Rummie, you bastard! :D

Now, I'm hooked on that game, spent almost two hours trying to launch that little guy into orbit.
Even favorited it.


You are very welcome!! Tongue out

I am glad that I am not the only one who finds it addicting.

EDIT

found another one http://armorgames.com/play/4001/hedgehog-launch-2

21 days to mars.

Will's picture
Will
July 14, 2009 - 4:04pm
Shadow Shack wrote:
There's a very inexpensive method available right now.

Just eat at Taco Bell. That'll generate enough thrust out of your exhaust pipe to send ya to the moon!


Too funny! And, it might actually work.

Wonder if we can feed Taco Bell to the hedgehog, guys?! :-D

"You're everything that's base in humanity," Cochrane continued. "Drawing up strict, senseless rules for the sole reason of putting you at the top and excluding anyone you say doesn't belong or fit in, for no other reason than just because you say so."


—Judith and Garfield Reeves-Stephens, Federation

Rum Rogue's picture
Rum Rogue
July 15, 2009 - 4:17am
Will wrote:
Wonder if we can feed Taco Bell to the hedgehog, guys?! :-D

Laughing

and hope the hedgehog doesnt blow up on the pad. heh heh. a little spiny frag grenade.
Time flies when your having rum.

Im a government employee, I dont goof-off. I constructively abuse my time.

Will's picture
Will
July 15, 2009 - 3:40pm
Rum Rogue wrote:
Will wrote:
Wonder if we can feed Taco Bell to the hedgehog, guys?! :-D

Laughing

and hope the hedgehog doesnt blow up on the pad. heh heh. a little spiny frag grenade.


TFF!Laughing

"You're everything that's base in humanity," Cochrane continued. "Drawing up strict, senseless rules for the sole reason of putting you at the top and excluding anyone you say doesn't belong or fit in, for no other reason than just because you say so."


—Judith and Garfield Reeves-Stephens, Federation