Why hasn't space transportation caught on???

[u2rocksbaby]

When the Wright Brothers first discovered flight, there were public airlines within the decade. What I don't understand is that even today, when in 2004 SpaceshipOne managed to surpass the Karman line (the official border of outer space) for 1/1000th of the cost it took Yuri Gargarin to reach it, the private industries, and indeed NASA as well, has almost completely neglected to advance the travel industry in space. Not only is it obviously more timely due to the lack of atmospheric drag, but it is also the ONLY way space travel will make a profit in the near future, while missions today generate almost $0 in revenue. Why haven't people taken advantage of this technology??? The payoff would be immense, given the potential for demand, not just for travel, but for being IN SPACE!!!

 

[Aidinthel]

Is it really more practical to go all the way to space when your destination is on the same planet? And even if so, what sort of initial investment are we talking about? What sort of new facilities would have to be built to accommodate these craft? How severe would the weight restrictions be compared to conventional aircraft? And why do you use so many superfluous question marks?

 

[Utrechet]

Actually, the pay-off would not be immense.

The person(s), let's just say company because that is basically what you are referencing here, using this idea would first have to acquire a rocket of some sort. They would then have to find an open area away from civilization for safety and public issues to launch said rocket. This alone would cost up to a sum of $10-50 million.

Then the fuel required for this job. Massive amounts of fuel, in case you can't figure that out. About 1,000 tons are used per launch of rocket fuel. And if you think gas prices are high, trying getting your hands on a gallon of ready-to-go rocket fuel in today's society. It's not easy, I assure you.

Now how do you make sure you have the proper equipment? You hire a flight-inspector, install security measures to ensure safety and order on the yard, which includes body guards, police, cameras, so on and so forth. Another costly tally.

Another thing to bear in mind is the crew you wish to operate this vehicle. You need EXTENSIVE training to make certain you are not letting an idiot drive your cargo into space. With a rocket. Training would have to take place over several years, which does not end well for a pocket book.

So when it comes down to it, no. People will not use space transportation other than for the new hotels opening in space.

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Source: http://startswithabang.com/?p=1370

 

[Jegsimmons]

because scientist are so "scientific" they refuse to be a batshit insane as the old inventors who wanted to fly were.

Supporting my theory that batshit crazy people are the best people.

 

[Saltyk]

If it's what I'm thinking, doesn't SpaceShipOne use an airplane to get the spacecraft into the upper atmosphere and then the craft makes it into space from there? I think I'm right there. I read too much about space travel and too many theories. Can't remember whats real and whats just random ideas. On that note, I was a nuclear explosion powered spacecraft.

Honestly, I'm not sure how much interest there is in space anymore. A lot of people don't think there is enough incentive to travel to the stars. And with all the difficulties in space travel, it's hard to blame them. And even for those nerds of us who love the idea of space, I'm certain such extravagant options would be expensive. Even if it was for travel, it would probably be far more expensive than basic air travel and the extra cost of fuel to actually get into space could offset the air resistance. And even in the immediate space around Earth there are dangers like space junk.

I'd love to travel to space like I travel to the grocery store or even another country, but I don't think it will happen for the common man anytime soon. Not unless there were a sudden interest AND a relatively cheap option.