/sci/ - Science & Math

>>12523291
That's simple:
We don't have a HEAVY LAUNCHER capable of putting a tether worth the investment (see >>12523772)


You could try a ridiculously small "proof of concept" with a tether so small it's only capable of catching micro-satellite rocket but what would be the point?
You'd have to design a vehicle capable of grabbing the hook from the ground that's small enough to be slingshot/tethered into orbit by the small tether.

If you want the money to count for something you'll want at least something that will be cost efficient on the long term.

In the far future however I except this:

Ground to LEO : Launch Loop
In LEO : Orbital ring also capable of catching what's thrown by the launch loop
LEO to GEO : Space tether so you can transfer cargo simply with exchange of momentum
Alternatively, MEO to HEO, tethers capable of throwing/catching interplanetary cargo.
Alternatively: Orbital ring just accelerate magnetically a cargo to be caught magnetically by a station in higher orbit

Lagrange point L2 : space elevator to the moon

>be rocket engineer

Work for national agency
>paid to study hypothetical manned flag planting mission doable in one presidential term
>only allowed to upgrade 80yrs oldspace design
>no unproven newspace technology allowed to be tested
>have to wear cap made of red tape
>every few years your budget and design goal reset
>do mission-critical R&D side-project that will never be used
>people call you a tax-thief with a cushy-job

Work for private company
>paid to build a mars-rocket right now is it done yet?
>free hands to try any imaginable new concept
>no uncool technology allowed to be tested
>green paper fall from the sky
>subsidies money keep coming no matter how much explode
>get all mission-critical R&D for free from national agency
>people glorify the CEO who pay you minimum wage to make gravity his bitch