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Comic #3945: methods-for-going-to-space

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Description

Methods for Going to Space, with Problems and Solutions

Method Problem Solution
Rocket Must lift heavy fuel, making launches very expensive. Spend lots of money.
Mass Driver High-speed encounter with atmosphere necessitates extremely tall structure. New theme park ride.
Skyhook Have to catch cable in space. … magnets?
Rotating Skyhook Have to catch rotating cable in space. Embrace risk of awesome death.
Space Elevator No material strong enough to make it. Remove half of Earth's mass. Most of it not that great anyway.
Ballistic Cannon Acceleration would liquefy humans. Put them back together later?
Space Fountain Enormous structure that collapses the moment you stop supplying it massive power. If goes awry, make amusing comparison to financial sector.
High Altitude Balloon Launch No. We are not running an entire launch operation from a gigantic mega-blimp. But—NO! But—NO! Come on please—NO.

Comic by SMBC Comics