All Questions
Tagged with fuel-depots fuel
5 questions
1
vote
2
answers
199
views
How much easier is it, to explore space from a low orbit satellite, than from Earth?
Note: in this question I'm considering cost in both money and fuel terms, and looking for answers that consider both.
So we know that using chemical rockets to reach the moon, or further into space, ...
- 1,886
20
votes
5
answers
2k
views
Is atmospheric skimming for propellant feasible?
A recent comment in a discussion of satellite refueling mentioned the
possiblity of a spacecraft dipping into the atmosphere from LEO to
obtain oxygen. Similarly, the science fiction RPG Traveller ...
- 172k
3
votes
1
answer
166
views
What would be the incremental cost of launching 1 ton of LOX/LH2 into LEO? [duplicate]
I am asking this question in a context of feasability of orbital fuel depots.
I understand that cost/kg estimates exist (2-14 k$/kg): What is the current cost-per-pound to send something into LEO? ]),...
- 51
3
votes
1
answer
199
views
Would a low pressure container lower hydrogen leakage in space?
Hydrogen, for rocket fuel, tends to leak even through metal containers. Launchers carry hydrogen cooled to liquid in order to save storage space for aerodynamical reasons, but that is unnecessary in ...
- 27k
12
votes
1
answer
266
views
Are there any proposals to vacuum up gases in orbit for use as propellant?
Space stations like the ISS orbit at an elevation that puts them squarely in the Thermosphere, and while this has extremely rarefied gas (which is probably more accurately a plasma at many times), it ...
- 16.4k