BRAINDUMP

Is there a non-rocket alternative to space launches?

Stefan Shaffer

In terms of present-day technology, the answer is no. Some launch systems, such as Virgin’s SpaceShipTwo suborbital spaceplane, or the company’s LauncherOne satellite launcher, use a conventional aircraft for the first part of the mission, but they still need a rocket to actually get into space. Nevertheless, people have speculated on alternative options that might become feasible in the future. These range from electromagnetic rail guns to enormous ‘space elevators’ running all the way from ground level to geosynchronous orbit. The latter would revolutionise access to space, but a whole range of engineering challenges would have to be overcome. AM

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