Originally posted by Kazan
yep... hopefully they don't go back to old apollo style launch vehicles like they're talking about doing
idiots
1) /vertical launch = STUPID! use a ****ing 45 degree rocketsled catapult launch system
2(// the shuttle burns 50% of it's fuel and goes through all that dangerous vibration just to make it to mach 2
[off topic]fox?! get a real news station
*numbers added for the sake of simplicity*
1) mass drivers, science is sound and all, but may be a tad expensive..
2) it's a heavy, tile-laden brick with wings, how else are they gonna get it up there?.. rubber bands?
as for the launch vehicles, two types, one crew module like the apollo command module, and a 100 ton lifter vehicle, which, can lift the entirity of the current ISS in just two launches.
the problem here is, which one is gonna be economically viable? in the long run, as nasa hasta sit on a budget, and being government funded as well.
with the launch vehicles, there's also the fact that they're gonna be sitting ontop of the engines, and fuel tanks, away from any falling debris.. so it's much safer for crew and equipment.
