Let's take a break from politics for a moment.
Instead of using big, expensive, disposed-after-one-use rockets to get into space (all that's left to us once the Shuttle program is grounded) another possibility is elevators. Yes, climbing a cable into space. Sounds like science fiction (and so far it is) but progress is being made. The AP reports on a competition to get an elevator to climb 2,953 feet (0.9 kilometers):
A robot powered by a ground-based laser beam climbed a long cable dangling from a helicopter on Wednesday to qualify for prize money in a $2 million competition to test the potential reality of the science fiction concept of space elevators . . .
LaserMotive's vehicle zipped up to the top in just over four minutes and immediately repeated the feat, qualifying for at least a $900,000 second-place prize.
The device, a square of photo voltaic panels about 2 feet by 2 feet and topped by a motor structure and thin triangle frame, had failed to respond to the laser three times before it was lowered, inspected and then hoisted back up by the helicopter for the successful tries.
No 0.9 kilometers is just a fraction of the 100 or so miles it takes to reach space. But this is a start and elevators would be much much cheaper than rockets to get payloads and people into space.
And one place you might want to visit in space is a hotel that backers claim will be in orbit in three years. From Fox News:
Routine commercial travel to outer space may be the norm as soon as 2012, as the next generation of spacecraft — designed by private sector firms like Virgin Galactic, Orbital Sciences Corp., Space Exploration Technologies Corp. and others — transport adventure-seeking civilians into low-Earth orbit.
There, they can see the sun rise many times a day, and experience the breathtaking curve of planet Earth that only NASA astronauts such as Neil Armstrong or Buzz Aldrin have previously seen. If they want to extend their stay, they can check in to the solar system’s first orbiting hotel, The Galactic Space Suite Hotel, set to open in three years.
No word on what an over-night stay in the Galactic Space Suite Hotel will run you. But right now the cost to get there (via Virgin Galactic) is $200,000. But that cost is projected to decrease but I would doubt it would ever get into the realm that the average Joe could afford. Except maybe when (if) the space elevator is operational.
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