Skyhook
Posted: Fri Mar 22, 2024 1:42 pm
TL;DR
Have an intermediary structure before space elevators which make it easier to send ships to space.What?
For space age and/or space exploration, a structure could be built in orbit which helps spaceships reach other planets. After developing the technology, you would be able to build the skyhook and launch it into space using the satelite rocket, you just place it into the cargo slot. The skyhook is extremely expensive to make, however significantly cheaper than the space elevator and with no constant maintenance.Once the hook is in orbit all rockets would only need enough fuel to reach orbit and then be flung towards their target by the hook. The hook has a planetwide effect and could be built in each planet and moon.
Alternatively, there could be incentives to build additional skyhooks to support more frequent rocket launches, or have specialized hooks for each target. So if you for example ship a lot of rockets to a specific planet, you could position an optimized hook to help get there. The hook could be configured to assist a specific rocket silo for example.
Why?
Skyhooks are a very similar technology to space elevators, but they are a lot cheaper and simpler, making it a natural stepladder before developing the elevator. It is quite likely that a skyhook will be built on earth at some point way before the space elevator, as we already have the technology to build one and it will not only save a ton of fuel when trying to reach other plannets, but it will cut the travel time to places like Mars to a third of the time.As fuel costs are massive for space exploration rockets, a significant reduction due to such a structure would feel very natural and satisfying.