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hawkwing43 12-01-2012 10:07 AM

I have an idea for moving people and even items into space. Without using using a rocket to get them up there. Now before you laugh just hear me out.

The idea is based on watching this guy:

Now if I recall he was on the edge of space at that point of his jump, and that got me thinking. What if there was away to pull you up from that point into outter space.

The idea is have a orbiting system, that will move around the planet, lower a drag capture hookup, then it could grab on to your balloon setup and pull you the rest of the way up. It could be a remote drone type robot, and once it has you pulled up, it would dock you to the space station.

Ok it's just an idea lol. But it could work right?

So what are you ideas?

sollvax 12-01-2012 10:13 AM

Admit the earth is flat and walk off the edge??


hortwort 12-01-2012 10:14 AM

One of my professors loved talking about "space elevators". We spent a couple weeks studying them. You should google them if you're thinking along these lines, they're pretty cool.

starkaos 12-01-2012 10:57 AM

Until some exotic way of moving people to space comes around like transporters, then space elevators seems to be the most reliable way. I suppose it is not necessary to have it touch the ground and use a plane to dock with the bottom. However, each would have different problems to solve.

sollvax 12-01-2012 10:59 AM

The space elevator concept was largely abandoned decades ago (you can't make a material strong enough)
Some scientists also mentioned Whiplash effects

commadorebob 12-01-2012 11:01 AM

Quantum physics allows you to momentarily be in two places at the exact same time.

So my answer is Quantum Transporters.

You step on the transporter. Enter your destination. For an inconceivable and imperceptible amount of time, you exist in two locations at once. But as far as you are concerned, you disappeared in one location and appeared in the other.

thegrimcorsair 12-01-2012 11:03 AM

A 50 gallon drum full of black powder, some duct tape, and a match.

aestu 12-01-2012 11:09 AM

Technologically, either a space elevator or a mass driver.

Financially, the best way to fund it would be a special progressive head tax, from $40 to $25,000 per person per year, depending on earnings bracket. I recommend making it a special tax because people will be more willing to fund something if the amount is fixed and for a specific purpose rather than getting funneled into the general fund - they can make the connection between their remittance and what the state is doing with it.

sollvax 12-01-2012 11:11 AM

Why fund it at all?
it has little or no value to mankind

artan42 12-01-2012 11:13 AM

