Magleving up Chimborazo

Subj:[ssi_list] Re: Magleving up Chimborazo
Date:01/25/2002 4:21:58 AM Pacific Standard Time
Reply-to:ssi_list@...
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> In a message dated 01/22/2002 2:33:21 AM Pacific Standard Time,
> markac_99@... writes:
>

I never claimed that development costs would be cheaper than
conventional rockets. Obviously the technical difficulties of using a
mass driver from the Earth's surface are very great and development
costs would be high.

OK, so why do it ? Why not continue using conventional rockets ?

Once developed though mass drivers would have all the usual

advantages e.g. you don't throw your launcher away on every launch, a
quick turn around time etc.

OK, so there is a reduction in marginal cost, at the expense of a high capital investment.

In order for the capital investment to be justified there needs to be a huge market potential.

What is the nature of the customer base who will pay for this ?

There are also some serious disadvantages. In particular, spacecraft payloads today cannot withstand the type of acceleration levels involved. Payload manufacturing cost will increase singificantly, and on any given space mission today the payload cost several times more than the rocket. Your approach will make them even more expensive.

For your arguments to be credible they must look at both sides of the equation.

The advantages of my particular idea are:-

1. By launching vertically from a high altitude the problem of air
resistance is drastically reduced.

So what ?

Air drag is not a big deal for rockets.

How much additional performance does this provide ?

Numbers please.

2. By using the Moon to manoeuvre around you reduce the problems of
circularising your orbit - partucularly if you return to Earth and
use aerobraking.

1) What has this got to do with mass drivers ?

2) Why are existing customers not already doing this with their conventional rocket launched payloads ?

Right now there appears to be no market customers for your ideas.

Why are you trying to solve a problem which does not exist, and will not exist any time soon ?