reaching space - the first step

SSI group I have only just come upon your group and the works of Gerard ONeill. I was quite amazed to discover almost total agreement with his analysis and predictions about our future path of development into space. In fact, I disagree in only one way, and that is because of the findings of my own research over almost 50 years. In the last 10 years, the technology of propulsion on beamed energy has been physically proven (BEP) using lasers and NASA sources also widely accept that microwaves (and theoretically solar energy and/or x-rays) could also be used to ionise a propellant beneath a craft, lifting it at high acceleration. Each source has its own benefits and limitations but NASA considers it entirely possible that this technology could reduce launch costs up to a thousandfold. Can I encourage all members to investigate this technology at NASAs Advanced Propulsion Concepts Program at JPL. (http://www.islandone.org/APC/Beamed/00.html-06.html) Please note that this is now PROVEN technology. The technology (see also web page for Lightcraft Technologies Inc) removes the need for massive engines and requires only a tiniest percentage of the (reactant) fuel presently used to access space. However, the story does not stop there. My interest in this new technology stems from my lifelong interest in practical archaeology, particularly archaeo-technology, the apparent instances of advanced technologies among prehistoric peoples around the world. A mountain of this stuff is sheer hearsay but there is also a clear and rational thread behind it that can be fully proven. It has been by goal to fully prove these technologies based on valid, scientific, evidence. I developed a hypothesis (c1960) that a combination of solar and microwave BEP could be used to launch air and space craft. Though the evidence was compelling, it could not be proven (at that time) because the technology of BEP was considered as beyond reason. This of course has now changed Discovering an article about the Lightcraft restarted my research five years ago and has led to some even more remarkable findings, all of which you can check for yourselves at the Archaeological website of the State of Arizona University on the pyramid city of Teotihuacan in Mexico. The site includes a feature known as the Avenue of the Dead, a wide avenue (45m-90m wide) that covers an arrow-straight tunnel that leads directly from one of the main pyramids (pyr. of the Moon) 5km, onto a plain south of the complex, crossing two rivers on the way. The tunnel was originally lined with mica sheeting and had what are described as sluices at junctions with secondary tunnels leading to other pyramids. Many of the pyramids also have a dampcourse of thick mica sheeting. These sheets are described as being 27m (100ft) square and were imported from Brazil, 3200km (2000 miles) away. Similar features can be found at the Akapana pyramid at Tiahuanaco in Bolivia, where 500mm ducts form a grid work throughout the pyramid. The official view is that these tunnels were part of a drainage system. That is total crap since the tunnels (at Teotihuacan) cross two rivers and were lined with mica (which would have served absolutely no purpose with water) . However, mica is an excellent microwave insulator the arrow-straight tunnels and insulated pyramids and sluices match only one possible conclusion. The tunnels were waveguides built to direct microwaves FROM the plain to the pyramids. Please if you can think of some other possible, rational conclusion, let me know. (NB Ironically, when I checked a moment ago, the ASU website was down for a upgrade. However, the information is also available at a number of other perhaps less reputable sites). This is just the tip of the iceberg of my findings. I believe this technology will open the road to space and possibly enable your goals. The ancient evidence should help to guide us as to the most effective way to proceed. There are more than 1000 major pyramids around the world on every continent (except Antarctica). There is also strong (less convincing butReaching spacehighly corroborative) evidence of BEP systems using lasers and x-rays. If anyone is interested, please send me an email. Colin C. McMullen