Richard Baker wrote:
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Or to rescue satellites whose launch vehicle failed to get them where they needed to be http://www.space.com/missionlaunches/proton_launch_021125.html or to repair malfunctioning satellites or to salvage hi tec space garbage.r At the moment, the key element is a solar electolysis factory. We put one of those in Earth orbit first. Then we launch blocks of ice to it from the Earth. Ice is good because it's high density and non-cryogenic. Both of these mean there's less mass overhead than with cryogenic fuels. So we can instantly start offering cryogenic fuels in Earth orbit at a cheaper rate than anyone else can. So we use that to fuel transfer vehicles to launch commsats to geosynchronous orbit. This lets commsat companies save a substantial amount on the cost of their launches.
I have neither the business nor the scientific acumen to criticize your plan, but I think it's a very exciting idea. I have always assumed that space exploration will never really take off until there is enough economic incentive to help defray the costs. This is the kind of thing that can get us going (and get that damned Pournelle quote out of Ronn's sig 8^) ).<snip rest of plan>
Doug
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