[FreeSpaceFreak]

I'm just waiting for the day you can buy "kit spaceships." Heck, look as Scaled Composite's SS1. The thing is basically skinned like a lightweight aircraft. Reentry is possible due to the ingenious "feather" system. And it's got a rocket that burns... I think it's a rubber-based fuel!

Re-entry at SS1 is mainly possible due to the fact that it doesn't reach orbital velocity. The Shuttle, for example, returns into the atmosphere at about Mach 24. SS1 doesn't even get near that. It follows a ballistic trajectory, so its vertical speed when starting re-entry is exactly 0. The feathering just makes sure it doesn't speed up too much.
And yes, it runs on rubber and laughing gas. It's a genious combination for what it's supposed to do, but I doubt it'll ever get you into orbit.

[Kosh]

We can't make the cable. It's not within our technological capabilities, plus a space elevator is inherently more dangerous and more expensive. Sure, the potential benefits are greater, but the potential benefits of tonnes of technology we don't have are huge. Imagine the potential benefit of fusion reactors or artifical gravity.

Are you saying these physicists and futurists are wrong and saying you know more than them on that subject? I am more likely to believe them than others. Also, it said in 50 years. It is still being worked on and tested. Did you watch that video carefully?

I know they could be wrong since know one knows for sure, but they are the most likely to be right than any other people.

No one is saying it wont happen eventually, I don't doubt even fusion will be available sooner or later, the problem is this stuff is many decades away.

[Thaeris]

I'm just waiting for the day you can buy "kit spaceships." Heck, look as Scaled Composite's SS1. The thing is basically skinned like a lightweight aircraft. Reentry is possible due to the ingenious "feather" system. And it's got a rocket that burns... I think it's a rubber-based fuel!

Re-entry at SS1 is mainly possible due to the fact that it doesn't reach orbital velocity. The Shuttle, for example, returns into the atmosphere at about Mach 24. SS1 doesn't even get near that. It follows a ballistic trajectory, so its vertical speed when starting re-entry is exactly 0. The feathering just makes sure it doesn't speed up too much.
And yes, it runs on rubber and laughing gas. It's a genious combination for what it's supposed to do, but I doubt it'll ever get you into orbit.

Yalp. That's sub-orbital for you. Now, if you get a second stage in there, you might be looking at an almost viable space-taxi. Of course, that design is going to be much different and will be much higher in terms of mass. Still cheaper to put two people in space that way instead of a conventional rocket, though. I wish Canadian Arrow was still around (unless they never disbanded...)... Who wouldn't want to fly in a manned V-2 rocket?