tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18361181.post2282640465905313655..comments2024-03-25T13:53:51.225-05:00Comments on The Troll Dens: OrionTroll Lordhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01473890012472557047noreply@blogger.comBlogger1125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18361181.post-41614720311005927952014-12-04T12:13:36.803-06:002014-12-04T12:13:36.803-06:00No, you're not really missing anything. The p...No, you're not really missing anything. The problem is that the fundamental physics of rocket launches isn't going to change. Although there have been a number of incremental improvements in materials science that have lowered the cost-per-pound of putting stuff in to orbit*, there haven't been any major breakthroughs that would get us order of magnitude improvements.<br /><br />The Space Shuttles were a radically different concept, but their wing superstructure and large cargo bay made them so massive that we couldn't lift them beyond low earth orbit, much less get one to the moon or interplanetary.<br /><br />So, yeah, unfortunately the new thing looks a lot like the old thing. Not exactly exciting to anyone's imagination, but a practical necessity for now.<br /><br /><br />* Reducing the cost-per-pound to orbit is roughly equivalent to increasing the amount of mass a given size rocket can put in to orbit.Dannoreply@blogger.com