Third way

Hi,

It's possibe to change the source of power from a ground based laser
to a geosyncronic satellite?

If so, a solar power satellite that feeds power could make possible
sending loads to space at very low prices per ton.

Regards,

Omar Vega

--- In spacesettlers@yahoogroups.com, "Combs, Mike"
>
> From: spacesettlers@yahoogroups.com
> [mailto:spacesettlers@yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of Robert
>
> > the problem is not the energy sourse, its the fuel.
> > if hes heating air in a kind of jet, he could get
> > considerable altitude and speed from it, but he'd
> > still have to carry propellant to get out of the atmosphere.
>
> Yes, it's certainly acknowledged that one needs on-board
propellant for
> the final push into orbit. Still, it's a significant savings in
> propellant, plus the propellant can be chosen for its utility as
> reaction mass rather than its energy content. For example, I've
seen
> proposals for using ice as reaction mass (perhaps mixed with a bit
of
> black plastic to aid in the absorption of laser energy).
>
> I think Myrabo recommends hydrogen as propellant, but then we're
still
> saving the weight of the oxidizer we'd normally have to carry for a
> rocket. We're relying on an external power source rather than on
the