LibertyCon 37

After decades of effort, reusable rockets are finally here, and we are about to find out how much market demand there is and how low the price can get. But no technology stays on top forever — as SF authors, futurists, or investors, the question arises, what's next? Will discuss briefly options for rockets beyond chemical (nuclear), then pass on to various forms of infrastructure for assisting launch: catapults, slings, and guns for things on the ground, tethers and skyhooks for things in the sky. Airbreathing as an alternative for first stages and returning a stage to the launch site. Then on to the approach which seems most promising in the near term — beamriders of various kinds, laser, microwave, and charged particle. Will discuss the pros and cons of various strategies for the first part of the delta-v to orbit and why a beam-driven airbreather trades well. Close with space-based beam options for reducing the final part of the delta-v and providing the extra push for Earth escape. Jeff Greason presents.