Airship to Orbit, Airship video.

[publiusr]

I wonder if Bigelow might want to actually launch this thing atop a bigger rocket and deploy it in space. Coat it with a thin film of UV activated material, and it holds its shape.<br /><br />I wonder if an ion wind/rectenna combo would allow beeamed energy to accelerate the craft still more...

 

[spacefire]

I just had an idea for a second stage inspired in part by JP Aerospace's giant airship.<br />Mine isn't an airship but... no more details can be disclosed <img src="/images/icons/smile.gif" /> <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <p>http://asteroid-invasion.blogspot.com</p><p>http://www.solvengineer.com/asteroid-invasion.html </p><p> </p> </div>

 

[SpeedFreek]

It's a bit off topic, but this thread reminded me of Joe Kittinger's 100,000-foot 1960 balloon jump. It still gives me goosebumps when I see the video of him bailing out at 102,800ft in a pressure suit and skydiving back to earth. <img src="/images/icons/smile.gif" /><br /><br />He holds 2 records, the highest ever skydive and the first man to go supersonic without a vehicle and live! <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <p><font color="#ff0000">_______________________________________________<br /></font><font size="2"><em>SpeedFreek</em></font> </p> </div>

 

[spacefire]

I think somebody was going to try and beat that record....last month or this month. I haven't heard anything about it lately. <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <p>http://asteroid-invasion.blogspot.com</p><p>http://www.solvengineer.com/asteroid-invasion.html </p><p> </p> </div>

 

[spacester]

Congratulations, JP!<br /><br />Well earned! <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> </div>

 

[lysol]

Joe Kittinger is my hero....i have dreams of some day starting sub orbital sky dives.<br /><br />See on the video when his surgeon was talking to him and realised what happened to his hand? Heheh