[net.space] Private spacecraft

FISCHER@RUTGERS (12/29/82)

From: Ron <FISCHER at RUTGERS>
Can anyone guess at the level of technology that we might have to reach before
it becomes practical for the average person to purchase a private vehicle that
could climb from surface to LEO?

This would assume conditions would be right: a need existed (everyone's
relatives lived in LEO or something... hmm, scratch that one...).  The question
then is how might it be done?  How might the average "Family spacecar" be
constructed?

(ron)

PS- I would consider answers like "Build a skyhook, put a road on it, viola,
drive your car (with appropriate oxygen injection) to LEO" reasonable but of
limited imagination.  Such a skyhook would have to have a very sturdy
guard-rail before most people would be allowed to drive on it... I certainly
wouldn't want to live nearby...  BAMM!  "There goes another one Martha..."
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