Non‐Rocket Space Launch and Flight

Citation

Bolonkin, A. (2006), "Non‐Rocket Space Launch and Flight", Aircraft Engineering and Aerospace Technology, Vol. 78 No. 5, pp. 461-461. https://doi.org/10.1108/aeat.2006.78.5.461.1

Rocket launch by liquid and solid chemical propellant is limited by the inefficiency of the payload being a tiny fraction of the lift‐off mass, the difficulty of storing and handling hazardous fuel, and the expense imposed by meeting these limitations. New technologies are required in the new international climate of space exploration and for the commercial exploitation of space.

This is the first extensive study of alternative propulsion systems, as appropriate for launch, aerodynamic/space flight, and trajectory correction in space. Each system of propulsion is described, with comparative discussion of advantages and disadvantages, quantitative calculation and estimations of system parameters, and examples of potential project application.

This book will be of particular interest to postgraduates, researchers, and engineers in aerospace science and propulsion technology, and will also be important reading for astronomers engaged in mission design, policy‐makers in governments and space agencies, and research and development managers in the aerospace industry.

Topics include:

• •

  Space elevators.

• •

  Tethers.

• •

  Solar and solar wind sails.

• •

  Cable transport systems.

• •

  Centrifugal launchers.

• •

  Hypersonic launch from gas tubes.

• •

  Extraction of kinetic energy from asteroids.

• •

  Electrostatic propulsion systems.

• •

  Kinetic propulsion systems.

• •

  Beam propulsion systems.

• •

  Radioisotope space sail and electro‐generator.

• •

  Many others.

The author Alexander Bolonkin was born in the former USSR. He holds doctoral degrees in Aviation Engineering from the Moscow Aviation Institute and in Aerospace Engineering from Leningrad Polytechnic University. His positions included Senior Engineer in the Antonov Aircraft Design Company and Chairman of the Reliability Department in the Glushko Rocket Design Company. He also lectured in the Moscow Aviation Universities. He arrived in the USA as a political refugee in 1988, and has lectured at the New Jersey Institute of Technology and worked as a senior researcher in NASA and US Air Force Research Laboratories.

The book mainly contains non published author's researches of the author's 20 new concepts in space launch and flight. The author's ideas and innovations are very original, and prospective. They promise reductions the launch cost in 100s or 1,000s times. Most part of them is absolutely new. For example, revolutionary cable space launch accelerator, electrostatic solar wind sail, circle space keeper, air tube launcher, new Earth‐Moon (and Mars) transport system, multi‐reflex propulsion, utilization kinetic energy of asteroids, centrifugal launcher, kinetic space tower, cable ring encompassing Earth with suspended “stationary” satellites or space stations, kinetic anti‐gravitator, etc. Many of them so extra‐ordinary that average persons will exclaim, “that's impossible!” For example, the cable is stood vertical up to geosynchronous orbit; ground engine moves fly aircraft located a hundreds miles from engine; levitation people, car into city or along special highway; living in space without space suite; transport system connects continents without bridges and tunnels; hypersonic aviation without aircraft engine; cable transport Earth‐Moon; and so on.

The great difference that sets off Bolonkin's book from many popular scientific articles is that he provides the mathematical support and computed projects.

The reader interested in space exploration will find a lot of riveting new ideas in this book. Scientists will find citation to original research. Inventors will be stimulated with ideas for innovations. Investors will perceive the chance for profit in new industries such as Space Tourism. Engineers will find projects for new space development, the space enthusiasts – for the perspective activity.