 July 3, 2009 - 2:16pm | <!--[if gte mso 9]> 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! |
 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. |
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. |
 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. |
 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 |
July 13, 2009 - 10:44am | 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!!  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. |
 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! |
 July 14, 2009 - 2:01pm | 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.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!! 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. |
July 14, 2009 - 4:04pm | 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 |
July 15, 2009 - 4:17am | Wonder if we can feed Taco Bell to the hedgehog, guys?! :-D  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. |
July 15, 2009 - 3:40pm | Wonder if we can feed Taco Bell to the hedgehog, guys?! :-D and hope the hedgehog doesnt blow up on the pad. heh heh. a little spiny frag grenade. TFF!  "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 |
