Comments on: DIY space photos http://futurismic.com/2009/03/19/diy-space-photos/ Presenting the fact and fiction of tomorrow since 2001 Fri, 10 Feb 2012 22:03:44 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.2.1 By: Khannea http://futurismic.com/2009/03/19/diy-space-photos/comment-page-1/#comment-21805 Khannea Sun, 22 Mar 2009 16:46:25 +0000 http://futurismic.com/?p=6622#comment-21805 Calculate the *air resistance* of the lowest 10 kilometers of the atmosphere. This drag is a significant problem in acquiring speed fast enough to accelerate upwards to escape velocity. Lift up a rocket by a balloon to an altitude of 40 kilometers, and get it accelerating almost instantly at 20G - speed versus atmospheric drag will be substantially less. Yet - I have no clue to calculate how much this will safe in terms of money. Calculate the *air resistance* of the lowest 10 kilometers of the atmosphere. This drag is a significant problem in acquiring speed fast enough to accelerate upwards to escape velocity. Lift up a rocket by a balloon to an altitude of 40 kilometers, and get it accelerating almost instantly at 20G – speed versus atmospheric drag will be substantially less. Yet – I have no clue to calculate how much this will safe in terms of money.

]]> By: Tom James http://futurismic.com/2009/03/19/diy-space-photos/comment-page-1/#comment-21667 Tom James Fri, 20 Mar 2009 13:39:27 +0000 http://futurismic.com/?p=6622#comment-21667 I think when it comes to getting into actual orbit as opposed to the top of the stratosphere <i>speed</i> is important. If you hauled a rocket up it would still have to reach escape velocity. It would be quite high up so I suppose there might be a reduction in gravitational field strength. Dunno how much that might contribute. There's a lot on <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Non-rocket_spacelaunch" rel="nofollow">non-rocket space launch on this Wikipedia page</a>. I think when it comes to getting into actual orbit as opposed to the top of the stratosphere speed is important. If you hauled a rocket up it would still have to reach escape velocity. It would be quite high up so I suppose there might be a reduction in gravitational field strength. Dunno how much that might contribute.

There’s a lot on non-rocket space launch on this Wikipedia page.

]]> By: Khannea Suntzu http://futurismic.com/2009/03/19/diy-space-photos/comment-page-1/#comment-21656 Khannea Suntzu Fri, 20 Mar 2009 09:14:16 +0000 http://futurismic.com/?p=6622#comment-21656 Can you lift a rocket to the stratosphere with a balloon and then launch it? Would it allow sufficient effective weight? What would be gains? Can you lift a rocket to the stratosphere with a balloon and then launch it? Would it allow sufficient effective weight? What would be gains?

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