President Trump To NASA: I Want You Back On The Moon, Then Mars Next

[Lester Tryon]

Is this even feasible?

If you were to combine the technology use for high speed monorails (the towers that hold the rails, supply the electro-magnetic energy only while the projectile is on the respective section of rail. As long as there is a pause to recharge between launches, it most definitely is feasible.

 

[Revoltingest]

Things can be secured. Aerodynamics and heat ablative shielding. The rest is just math.

Math is only a tool.
It's engineering, which is more difficult & expensive.

 

[Revoltingest]

If you were to combine the technology use for high speed monorails (the towers that hold the rails, supply the electro-magnetic energy only while the projectile is on the respective section of rail. As long as there is a pause to recharge between launches, it most definitely is feasible.

Instead of a railgun, there's something similar (posted earlier)...
NASA Engineers Propose Combining a Rail Gun and a Scramjet to Fire Spacecraft Into Orbit
It's a hybrid launch system which could be a practical solution some day.
Still, I find the space elevator the sexier dream.

Btw, the proposal in the link isn't really a railgun...it's a version of a maglev transportation
system, thereby avoiding the high G forces of achieving earthbound escape velocity.

 

[roger1440]

NASA's budget has taken continuous blows since Kennedy/Johnson. This is not unique to Trump.

But it can be done. Not because it's easy but because it's hard.

 

[Lester Tryon]

Instead of a railgun, there's something similar (posted earlier)...
NASA Engineers Propose Combining a Rail Gun and a Scramjet to Fire Spacecraft Into Orbit
It's a hybrid launch system which could be a practical solution some day.
Still, I find the space elevator the sexier dream.

Btw, the proposal in the link isn't really a railgun...it's a version of a maglev transportation
system, thereby avoiding the high G forces of achieving earthbound escape velocity.

Maglev is very similar, and as an alternative for launching people it's an interesting idea. I love the space elevator because the idea and science are sound, but the problem of building it (the cables etc ) is still a major hurdle to cross.
My idea was strictly related to things and only launching to the same spot in orbit. It would undoubtedly be huge and a bit spendy to construct, but after that aside from maintenance etc, there would be virtually no cost.

 

[Revoltingest]

Maglev is very similar, and as an alternative for launching people it's an interesting idea. I love the space elevator because the idea and science are sound, but the problem of building it (the cables etc ) is still a major hurdle to cross.
My idea was strictly related to things and only launching to the same spot in orbit. It would undoubtedly be huge and a bit spendy to construct, but after that aside from maintenance etc, there would be virtually no cost.

It would only be lower cost than heavy lift rockets.

 

[Lester Tryon]

It would only be lower cost than heavy lift rockets.

 

[Lester Tryon]

After construction, the solar powered batteries would have no cost aside from maintenance

 

[Revoltingest]

After construction, the solar powered batteries would have no cost aside from maintenance

Aside from the high initial capital cost, there'd be regular replacements & upgrades.
Certainly, there'd be some energy savings, but we shouldn't trumpet this as almost
free. It'd like to see some cost analysis.

 

[Lester Tryon]

Yes, "lower" cost. And only "Virtually" free. As in almost, at least in relation. But you are right, I never said absolutely free.

 

[Revoltingest]

Yes, "lower" cost. And only "Virtually" free. As in almost, at least in relation. But you are right, I never said absolutely free.

There's an inviolable engineering principal....
There is no free lunch.
But nonetheless, I favor exploring more cost effective & reliable launch methods.
There is much potential.