Ah, the tyranny of the rocket equation. Indeed, without using unobtainium, putting things out of the Earth’s gravity well is difficult, and rocket weight is basically 99% fuel, 1% structure and payload. Which is why we cheat by using multi-stage rockets so the dead weight can be shed. Another potential cheat would be a linear accelerator (basically a coil gun) to catapult the rocket and get it at least part of the way into orbit. Problem is that the catapulting would be too intense for this approach to be usable with manned vehicles.
Alternatively, you can find denser energy sources than chemical energy. That’s the Orion drive. This requires designing your rocket to have a butt strong enough to withstand repeated nuclear explosions, as well as a total disregard for the environment of the planet you’re trying to leave.
there was a scienist named Garald bull. who dreamed of putting things into orbit with a big gun. US and Can. built two huge cannons for testing and a lot was learned about trajectory and ballistics. then the two countries had a disagreement and the project died. Garald spent year marketing his expertise to anyone, and I mean ANYONE, who would pay trying to fund the research himself. in 1990 he had agreed to help Sadam Hussien build a super gun to attack Iseral when someone, probably MASAD, killed him in Belgium.
9 thoughts on “Sinister Skullduggery 5”
waterfan2
It’s a fine line between rocket engineer and explosives expert.
(seriously: a solid rocket booster uses very similar chemicals to plastic explosive.)
627235
Sure, the job of the rocket engineer is to make stuff explode for several minutes without ever actually blowing stuff up.
Riverwolf
Yes Ash, there really is a Santa Claus
Kelephant
Ash has never heard anything so beautiful before.
Riverwolf
Waterfan2.
You do know the famous last words of the redneck rocket engineer; “Oh hell that ain’t nuthen, watch this!”
Venalitor
Twu Wuv~
someone
Ah, the tyranny of the rocket equation. Indeed, without using unobtainium, putting things out of the Earth’s gravity well is difficult, and rocket weight is basically 99% fuel, 1% structure and payload. Which is why we cheat by using multi-stage rockets so the dead weight can be shed. Another potential cheat would be a linear accelerator (basically a coil gun) to catapult the rocket and get it at least part of the way into orbit. Problem is that the catapulting would be too intense for this approach to be usable with manned vehicles.
Alternatively, you can find denser energy sources than chemical energy. That’s the Orion drive. This requires designing your rocket to have a butt strong enough to withstand repeated nuclear explosions, as well as a total disregard for the environment of the planet you’re trying to leave.
Borg
I think Ash might kiss you.
nonimportante
there was a scienist named Garald bull. who dreamed of putting things into orbit with a big gun. US and Can. built two huge cannons for testing and a lot was learned about trajectory and ballistics. then the two countries had a disagreement and the project died. Garald spent year marketing his expertise to anyone, and I mean ANYONE, who would pay trying to fund the research himself. in 1990 he had agreed to help Sadam Hussien build a super gun to attack Iseral when someone, probably MASAD, killed him in Belgium.
Navigation
Social Links and Galleries
Lagend World Resources
Comics Nick Likes
More Comics by Nick
(Patreon :: Gum Road)
(Patreon :: Gum Road)
(Patreon :: Gumroad)
(Patreon :: Gumroad)