MARS and back in 2 days...

[Bubba1]

In that regard (since sci-fi is mentioned in the 1st post) why don't we use "beanstalks" to nullify the earths immediate gravitational effect?

A beanstalk is, very simplistically, an elevator to a satellite in geosynchronous orbit with an area on the earth,...

Here on Earth, the elevator would have to be over 22,000 miles long, starting somewhere on the equator.

[exxcomm0n]

Here on Earth, the elevator would have to be over 22,000 miles long, starting somewhere on the equator.

It wouldn't just be here on earth for the concept to work.

I suppose that the logical way to do it would be to build and lower from space. But that would mean a LOT of supply voyages while building, but start in lowest orbit and attach, then maneuver out from there.

The material for the tether/shaft is the key.

Now this space/time folding thingy for space travel.......

Whew! Not quite as easily conceptualized.

[Steven Dufresne]

There is a group working on actual hardware for the space elevator concept... though their website has the lift date to orbit as Oct 27, 2031. So far, as far as I can find, they've climbed 1500 feet.
http://www.liftport.com
http://youtube.com/watch?v=QjcaQT_ssE4
-Steve
http://rimstar.org

[Steven Dufresne]

In the Wave Structure of Matter (WSM) model, gravity is due to increased density of space (the fabric, that is, like ether) due to all those waves from all the particles of Earth. So you'd need to block those waves from interacting with your heavy spacecraft, basically a shield below your spacecraft. The Earthward side would intercept those waves such that on the spaceward side, space would be less dense. This less dense space would mean the sparecraft, located on the spaceward side of the shield, would have less weight so the rockets don't have to do nearly as much work.

Hmmm... putting another shield on the spaceward side of the spacescraft would block waves from that direction, reducing inertia. Very small rockets needed, provided the shield is lightweight. The rockets would be outside the shields.

Now, just gotta figure out how to build the shields...
-Steve
http://rimstar.org

[triffid]

I think that we should use Lakhovsky coils to power our starships with.Lakhovsky coils I think could be used to supply electricity since they are powered by cosmic rays.Cosmic rays are everywhere we look in space.The coils also are powered by radio waves and magnetic fields.So someone needs to develope these coils are a power source.Triffid