Re: Modest Proposal - Common Interplanetary Booster

I feel that we should concentrate on low cost to LEO for the following
reason. Once you are in space you can use the highly efficient ion
propusion motor.

No, I will correct myself LEO and high energy weight solar systems. If
an objective is SSP what will be needed is just that. Let us think in
terms of a squae kilometer of aluminium 1 micron thick. Weight 2.7T.
This can be used for reflectors. Potentially 2GW is falling on that
sqare kililometer. OK you will need silicon cells struts to give some
degree of mechanical stability. You will only get a limited efficiency
too.

If you could get 500MW for 10 tons you would be well placed not only
to have a good ion drive system, but also a stepping stone to SSP.

To get to LEO only rockets are really feasible. From LEO to wherever
there are a lot of other concepts that should be explored.


- Ian Parker
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