Space Blast Pipe - an Innovative Space Transportation Concept

Abstract

There is a trend for small satellites to be brought into Low Earth Orbit. The current way of using expendable launchers for transport is associated with several drawbacks, such as high cost, considerable risks and environmental pollution. A new visionary long-term concept is presented that is based on the effect of atmospheric/gas pressure. The key issue of this future launch device is a very long evacuated tube called “Space Blast Pipe” (SBP). This paper intro-duces the basic idea of the Space Blast Pipe, shows initial technical solutions and gives elementary performance calculations. The limits concerning the feasibility aspect are discussed.