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Originally posted by carnival_of_souls2047
I think that the less moving parts the better. Let's be sure that we note the mistakes of the space shuttle program and build from that. With that being said do you really want a ship that launches from an airplane or one that moves from the ground to space to the moon and back again on it's own power. Maybe a giant space plane might be a good proposal. Just spitballing here, nothing in concrete.
Originally posted by earth2
[Actually launching from a plane would be less parts.
You obviously would have less fuel meaning smaller rocket. I think?
Originally posted by FreeThinkerIdealist
Are you talking about a capsule based ship, or a more conventional airplane/shuttle style?
I have read that re-entry to earth, the shuttle is at mach 25. So building for this pressure would be necessary.
Launching from the equator area would be very beneficial for the project from the increase speed given by the natural rotation of the earth.
I also agree the ship and its components itself should be as simple as possible, with the least amount of parts, but also to be as useful as possible as well. That is why a powerful computer can eliminate most of the instrumentation and controls ... and a few backup computers running at the same time ... since that alone greatly reduces the complication of the interior ... maybe not the devices themselves.
Originally posted by D.E.M.
Can i propose something akin to Archangel from "footfall"? A huge ship built on a giant plate, launched by directed nuclear blasts?
But seriously, i'll get back to you with some hard facts tomorrow.
I have always wondered about how such a craft would work in the upper atmosphere where the air density is much less.
Originally posted by Octavius Maximus
[The nukes would just tear the crap out of the ozone layer and play havoc with the skies environment.
No, No nuclear weapons. We want technology which can last. Nuclear bombs are a thing of the past, in my opinion.
I think the journey should start in space. Launch from the space station.