The fight against gravity in space launches is not an easy task. Ordinary rockets are very expensive, produce a lot of garbage and, as practice shows, very dangerous. Fortunately, science does not stand still and more and more alternative methods appear that promise us more efficient, less costly and safer ways to conquer outer space. We will talk about how humanity will fly into space in the future.
But before starting, it should be pointed out that chemical jet engines (HRD), which are now used as the basis for all space launches, are a crucial tool for the development of the space sphere, therefore their use will continue for more than a decade until The technology that is able to ensure a painless transition to a fundamentally new level of space launches and flights has been repeatedly tested and, most importantly, tested.
But now, when the cost of launches can be several hundred million dollars, it becomes clear that the HDR is a dead end. As an example, you can take the latest development of Space Launch System. This system is considered by the NASA aerospace agency as the basis for deep space exploration. Experts estimate that the cost of one SLS launch will be about $ 500 million. Now that space has become not only a matter of states, but also private companies, cheaper alternatives have been offered. For example, the launch cost of Falcon Heavy from SpaceX will be about $ 83 million. But it is still very, very expensive. And we are still not addressing the issue of environmental sustainability of space launches based on the HRD, which, without a doubt, do significant damage to the environment.
The good news is that scientists and engineers are already offering alternative methods and methods for space launches, and some of them do have the potential to become effective technologies over the coming decades. All these alternatives can be summarized under several categories: alternative types of jet launches, stationary and dynamic transport systems, as well as ejection systems. Of course, they combine far from all the proposed ideas, but in this article we will analyze the most promising.
Alternative types of jet launches
Laser jet thrust
Redirect plasma flow to increase thrust
The missiles currently in use require the use of huge amounts of solid or liquid fuel, and most often their flight range and efficiency are limited by how much of this fuel they can carry with them. However, there is an option that in the future will allow to overcome these limitations. The solution may be special laser systems that will send rockets into space.
Russian physicists Yuri Rezunkov from the Institute for the Development of Optoelectronic Instruments and Alexander Schmidt from the Ioffe Physicotechnical Institute recently described the process of “laser ablation”, according to which the thrust of an aircraft will be generated by laser radiation generated by a laser device located outside the spacecraft. As a result of exposure to this radiation, the material of the receiving surface will be burned and a plasma stream will be generated. This stream will provide the necessary traction that can accelerate the spacecraft to speeds ten times faster than the speed of sound.
If you omit all the fantastic nature of this method, before creating such a system, you will need to solve two problems: the laser in this case must be incredibly powerful. So powerful that it will literally be able to evaporate metal at a distance of several hundred kilometers. Hence another problem - this laser can be used as a weapon for the destruction of other spacecraft.
Stratospheric launches and space planes
The method of launching spacecraft with the help of special powerful load-carrying air tractors seems to be less conceptual and more realistic.
Who said that the method proposed by Virgin Galactic can only be used for space tourism? The company plans to use its LauncherOne apparatus as a transportation system for launching compact satellites weighing up to 100 kilograms into Earth orbit. Considering the speed with which miniaturization of space systems is happening now, the idea is very interesting.
Other examples of a launch system are the XCOR Aerospace Lynx Mark III spacecraft (pictured above) and the Orbital Sciences Pegasus II spacecraft (pictured below).
One of the advantages of space launches from the airspace is that rockets do not have to overcome a segment of a very dense atmosphere. As a result, the load on the device itself will decrease. In addition, the air unit is much easier to run. It is less susceptible to weather changes. In the end, the peculiarity of such launches opens up wider possibilities in terms of the chosen scale.
Another option is space planes. These reusable aircraft will be similar to the "retired" shuttle and "Buran", but, unlike the latter, will not require the use of huge launch vehicles for launching into orbit. One of the most promising and advanced projects on this subject is the British space plane British Skylon (pictured above) - a single-stage aircraft for going into orbit. The jet propulsion apparatus will be created by two air-jet engines, which will accelerate it to a speed of 5 times higher than the speed of sound and raise to a height of almost 30 kilometers. However, this is only 20 percent of the required speed and altitude required for going into space, so the spaceplane after the height of the ceiling is set will switch to the so-called “rocket mode”.
Unfortunately, there are still many technological difficulties that are still to be resolved on the way to the implementation of this project. For example, it is expected that space planes will have to face an unplanned change in the lift trajectory due to high dynamic pressure and excessive temperatures, which will certainly affect the most sensitive parts of the aircraft. In other words, such spaceplanes can be dangerous.
Another example of space plans being developed is the Dream Chaser, developed by Sierra Nevada Corporation for the NASA aerospace agency (in the video above).
Stationary and dynamic transport systems
If not aircraft, then the solution can serve as a huge structure, towering to incredible heights or even straight into space.
For example, Geoffrey Landis, a scientist and science fiction writer, proposed the idea of building a giant tower whose top would reach the limits of the earth's atmosphere. Located at an altitude of about 100 kilometers above the Earth’s surface, it can be used as a launching platform for conventional rockets. At such an altitude, rockets practically do not have to deal with any influence of the earth's atmosphere.
Another construction option that has attracted the attention of many representatives of the scientific and near-scientific communities is the space elevator. In fact, this idea dates back to the 19th century. The modern version proposes to stretch 35,400 (which is beyond the limits of the location of most communication satellites) kilometers above the Earth’s surface with a heavy-duty cable. After carrying out all the necessary balancing on the cable, it is proposed to launch the laser-powered transport apparatus with a load.
Illustration of a space elevator on Mars
The idea of space elevators really has the potential to create a real revolution in matters of space transportation into Earth orbit. But to translate this idea in real life will be very difficult. It will take a long time before scientists create a material that can withstand the weight of such a design. The options under consideration now are carbon nanotubes, or rather structures based on microscopic diamond plexuses with ultrathin nanofibers. But even if we find a way to build a space elevator, this will not solve all the problems. Dangerous vibrations, intense vibrations, collisions with satellites and space junk are only a small part of the tasks that will have to be dealt with.
Another proposed alternative is the giant "orbital flywheels." Flywheels are rotating satellites with long cables diverging in two different directions, the ends of which, when rotated, will come into contact with the atmosphere of the planet. In this case, the rotational speed of the structure will partially or fully compensate for the orbital speed.
Orion's Arm portal explains how they work:
“At the bottom of the cable, located near a planet the size of the Earth, there will be a docking platform located at an altitude of 100-300 kilometers above the surface (while the length of the cables themselves going from the center of the flywheel will be several thousand kilometers). This height was chosen because the impact of the atmosphere on the flywheel itself will be minimized here, and the gravitational losses of the joined shuttles will be minimized. Docking will occur at very low speeds of both the flywheel itself and the docking shuttle, as a rule, at the peak of the parabolic suborbital trajectory given by the launch vehicle. In this case, the shuttle will be relatively “flywheel” with little or no movement and can be caught by a special hook, and then pulled to the docking gateway or landing platform. For proper positioning in orbit, flywheels will use shunting engines. ”
Since the flywheels will be completely in space, not fixed to the Earth, they will not have to experience the same physical loads as the space elevator, so this idea may ultimately prove to be more viable.
With regard to dynamic structures, the magazine Popular Mechanics describes at least two main options:
“Buildings such as the“ cosmic fountain ”and“ Lofstrom loop ”will maintain their structural integrity due to electrodynamic effects or impulses, parts moving inside them, as well as cargo and passengers going into orbit. A more interesting concept is represented by rotators. This idea proposes the construction of a large orbital structure with a cable rotating in the orbital plane so that at the point of the circle closest to Earth, the speed of the end of the cable relative to the center is opposite to the orbital speed. Thus, the cable, passing a minimum, can pick up the desired object having speeds lower than the first space one and release it at the point of maximum removal at a speed greater than the first space one. ”
It will look something like this on the “gif” above
Another alternative to the space rope and elevator is a vertical inflatable tower, capable of growing 20–200 kilometers in height. The construction proposed by Brendan Quinn and his colleagues will be erected at the top of the mountain and is perfect for atmospheric research, installation of television and radio communication equipment, launches of spacecraft and tourism. The tower itself will be created on the basis of several pneumatically externally controlled sliding sections.
“Choosing a tower will help avoid problems associated with the space elevator. We are talking about the strength of the material for construction, suitable for working in space, the complexity of producing a cable with a length of at least 50,000 kilometers and addressing issues related to the meteorite threat in low earth orbit, ”say the researchers who proposed the design of the tower.
To test their ideas, they built a 7-meter model of a tower with six modules, each of which was created on the basis of three tubes installed around a cylindrical compartment filled with air.
Interestingly, a similar technology can be used in the construction of the “space pier” proposed by John Storrs Hall. According to this concept, it is proposed to build a structure with a height of 100 kilometers and a length of 300 kilometers. With this arrangement, the elevator will go straight to the launch point. The very launch of the payload into orbit will occur with an acceleration of just 10g.
"This hybrid version ignores the shortcomings of the proposed options with the orbital tower (the pier is much smaller, therefore it is easier to build) and the difficulties that will have to be encountered during electromagnetic launches (the density and air resistance at an altitude of 100 kilometers is a million times less than at sea), ”says Hall.
Ejection systems
If all the proposed ideas for an ordinary reader may seem like science fiction, then the following are much closer to reality than it might seem at first glance. Another alternative to rocket launches is ejection systems, in which spacecraft will be launched into space as a cannon.
It is quite obvious that in this case the cargo itself must be designed for the impact of extreme forces. However, ejection systems can become a truly effective tool for sending payloads into space, where it will be picked up by the spacecraft there.
Ejection systems can be divided into three main types: electrical, chemical and mechanical.
Electric
This type includes railguns, or electromagnetic catapults operating on the principle of electromagnetic accelerators. During launch, the spacecraft will be placed on special guide rails and sharply accelerated using a magnetic field. At the same time, the acceleration forces will be enough to take the apparatus out of the earth’s atmosphere.
However, the design feature of such systems will make them very massive and expensive in construction. In addition, such systems will consume a huge amount of electricity. Despite its power, electromagnetic catapults will still have to face some problems associated with gravity and the dense atmosphere of the Earth. If they are used, then rather on planets with lower gravity and a thin atmosphere.
Chemical
Here it is proposed to launch objects into space with the help of huge guns working on combustible gas like hydrogen. However, as in the case of any ejection system, the cargo sent to space will have to experience increased loads at launch. In addition, such systems cannot be used to send people into space. In addition, it would be necessary to use additional equipment that would allow cargo, for example, compact satellites, to be placed in a permanent orbit. Otherwise, the launched object, having reached the maximum height, will simply fall back to Earth.
HARP Project (High Altitude Research Project, High Altitude Research Project). This gun launched a projectile-rocket "Martlet-2" to an altitude of 180 kilometers. The record is still held
The logical development of the HARP project was the SHARP project (Super High Altitude Research Project). In the 90s of the last century, researchers from the Lawrence Livermore Lab conducted a demonstration of launching shells at a speed of 3 kilometers per second (albeit not in height, but on the ground). In the end, scientists came to the conclusion that the construction of a real working sample of such a tool would require at least $ 1 billion. The picture was thickened by the fact that the scientists did not succeed in achieving the planned projectile speed of 7 kilometers per second.
Mechanical
An alternative to electromagnetic and chemical guns can be mechanical. True, such systems are not quite correct to call such systems. Rather, it is a kind of slingshot. An example is the Slingatron project of HyperV Technologies Corp. The system itself is a spiral-shaped hollow inside structure. An object placed inside the spiral receives acceleration due to the rotational movements of the entire structure around a fixed point.
Theoretically, the "slingatron" is able to impart the necessary acceleration. However, as the developers themselves indicate, the system is not suitable for launching people and large loads into orbit. But this method could be used to send small loads into space, such as water, fuel and building materials.
The full size view of the slingatron will look something like this.
What will the future really be?
Predicting what the answer to this question will be is extremely difficult. Unexpected technological discoveries and the effects created by them can lead to the fact that all the variants of non-rocket space launches considered today will be in one row of efficiency. Now this is not the case, as can be seen from at least a comparative table. .
Take at least the potential of molecular assembly technology as an example. Как только мы освоим эту сферу, нам больше не потребуется запускать ничего в космос. Мы просто будем ловить находящиеся в Солнечной системе астероиды и создавать из них (а точнее полезных материалов, содержащихся в них) все что захотим прямо в космосе. Самое интересное, что прогресс в этом направлении виден уже сегодня. Например, астронавту NASA Барри Уилмору как-то потребовался компактный разводной ключ. Казалось бы, в чем проблема – сходить в ближайший магазин инструментов? Только вот ближайшего магазина инструментов на тот момент рядом с Уилмором не было, так как астронавт находился на борту Международной космической станции! NASA вышло из положения изящно – отправило по электронной почте на МКС схему нужного ключа и предложила Уилмору самостоятельно его распечатать на имеющемся на борту 3D-принтере. Это лишь один из примеров, показывающих, что в относительно скором времени нам вообще не потребуется ничего запускать в космос. Все будет создаваться уже на месте.
Что касается нужных ресурсов, то это тоже перестанет быть проблемой. Астероидный пояс полон необходимого материала: его объем равен почти половине массы нашей Луны. Когда-нибудь мы придем к тому, что целый рой «Филы»-подобных космических зондов просто будут высаживаться на очередном астероиде или метеорите и производить на них добычу полезных ископаемых. NASA хочет в 2020 году провести первую подобную миссию. Планируется поймать небольшой астероид, вывести его на стабильную лунную орбиту и уже там высадить на него астронавтов, которые смогут изучить космический булыжник и даже собрать интересные образцы его грунта.
Доставка людей в космос – это другая проблема, особенно если учитывать, что в будущем планируется переход к массовой отправке людей в космос. Некоторые из предложенных идей вроде космического лифта действительно могут сработать. Но только в том случае, если речь идет не о покорении дальнего космоса. Поэтому в этом вопросе нам придется еще долгое время полагаться на традиционные реактивные ракетные запуски. Свои идеи уже озвучиваются как на государственном уровне, так и в частной сфере. Взять опять же того же Элона Маска со своим проектом колонизации Марса.
Еще мы должны принять во внимание тот факт, что человеческий организм на самом деле не рассчитан на очень долгое пребывание в космосе. Поэтому до тех пор, пока мы не придем к эффективным технологиям, позволяющим создавать искусственную гравитацию, частичным решением этой проблемы могут стать роботы. Роботов можно отправить в космос и удаленно управлять с Земли, используя дополненную или виртуальную реальность.
Роботы имеют реальный шанс стать ключом к началу нашего освоения дальнего космоса. Вполне возможно, в более удаленном будущем мы научимся оцифровывать свой мозг и передавать эту информацию в суперкомпьютеры на борту удаленных космических станций, где она будет загружаться в самые разные виды роботов-аватаров, с помощью которых мы будем прокладывать свой путь к дальним космическим рубежам.
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