What happened to the future?

[NotAllThere]

We want space-stations - not moon bases. Moon bases are in a gravity well. Too much energy required to get out of it. Not worth doing. Unless we build a space elevator.

Mine the asteroids. Move off the earth, spread around. It's the only hope.

[TimberWolf]

We want space-stations - not moon bases. Moon bases are in a gravity well. Too much energy required to get out of it. Not worth doing. Unless we build a space elevator.

Mine the asteroids. Move off the earth, spread around. It's the only hope.

So are orbiting space stations.

[Board Game Geek]

They should replace that Andy Green though; what a boring sod. We need a true British ‘chap’ with brylcreem in his hair, a pipe between the lips and a pudding bowl helmet to drive this thing. A Donald Campbell for the 21st century. You know, the sort who says ‘tally ho, chaps’ and then goes off at 1000mph, radios base to put the kettle on, then turns round and comes back at 1000mph just in time for the kettle to boil.

Ace Rimmer ?

(as in the character, not the award for a particulary unusual skill)

[OwlHoot]

We want space-stations - not moon bases. Moon bases are in a gravity well. Too much energy required to get out of it. Not worth doing. Unless we build a space elevator.

Mine the asteroids. Move off the earth, spread around. It's the only hope.

I think escape velocity on the moon could easily be reached by a solar-powered electromagnetic rail gun, and there's no atmospheric drag to overcome.

A big advantage of moon bases is you can retire underground when there's a solar storm, or live deep underground anyway to avoid cosmic rays and collisions with debris.

[TimberWolf]

I think escape velocity on the moon could easily be reached by a solar-powered electromagnetic rail gun, and there's no atmospheric drag to overcome.

A big advantage of moon bases is you can retire underground when there's a solar storm, or live deep underground anyway to avoid cosmic rays and collisions with debris.

Do you recall seeing Uncle Al's idea for a cheap space station? A submarine.

[Board Game Geek]

Won't somebody please think about the Clangers ?!?!?

We can't just settle on the Moon without their permission can we ?

[Mich the Tester]

Won't somebody please think about the Clangers ?!?!?

We can't just settle on the Moon without their permission can we ?

We should at least have the decency to pay them a visit and ask politely.

[BlightyBoy]

We want space-stations - not moon bases. Moon bases are in a gravity well.

So are orbiting space stations.

True, in essence, everywhere in the Galaxy is in some kind of gravity well. But the effect due to gravity (at the station) would be much less. Plus, being closer to the earth would mean that you can use that gravity to your advantage to sling-shot out into the solar system.

Unless we build a space elevator.

This is almost technically feasible. A bunch of clever chaps at MIT have learned how to grow long carbon filaments which are incredibly strong and yet have very little mass. Bind a few together and dangle them down to earth from a geo-stationary platform, and Bob's your uncle.

Then, you could hoist yer aging Soviet sub up into orbit and call it MIR-2 1/4!

[AlfredJPruffock]

True, in essence, everywhere in the Galaxy is in some kind of gravity well. But the effect due to gravity (at the station) would be much less. Plus, being closer to the earth would mean that you can use that gravity to your advantage to sling-shot out into the solar system.



This is almost technically feasible. A bunch of clever chaps at MIT have learned how to grow long carbon filaments which are incredibly strong and yet have very little mass. Bind a few together and dangle them down to earth from a geo-stationary platform, and Bob's your uncle.

Then, you could hoist yer aging Soviet sub up into orbit and call it MIR-2 1/4!

Electro Pulsion Tether is the way to go.

[original PM]

Best way to build a space elvator is to go get 2 asteriods from the belt (A c type or super c type for your volatiles and an FE type to use as the actual space station)

on the trip back from the belt use relevant materials in asteriods to create the space tether and then put into geo syncronous orbit and dangle tether into tether point which was built on earth.

could be done in 10 years assuming the clever geezers can get the carbon nanotubes to grow long enough and be strong enough.