http://www.colonyworlds.com/2006/12/lockheed-martin-building-a-space-elevator.html Discussing reasonable ways to colonize our solar system Fri, 03 Feb 2012 08:16:00 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 http://www.colonyworlds.com/2006/12/lockheed-martin-building-a-space-elevator.html#comment-424 Brian Dunbar Wed, 20 Dec 2006 21:48:00 +0000 http://www.colonyworlds.com/2006/12/lockheed-martin-building-a-space-elevator.html#comment-424 I disagree that Liftport's SE would be detrimental to the short-term interests of any rocket company.Okay yes, if we succeed a great deal of their market is (probably) gone.But ...* There will always be a need for short-notice launch to LEO. Some loads just can't wait for the seven day trip to orbit via SE.* The SE can only get a load to orbit - it can't do anything with it once it gets there. There is likely a far bigger market for rockets in orbit that will be opened up by an SE.This is of course going to be disruptive and some companies won't make the transition. This happens; time for the managers and C-level leaders to game how they'll transition away from a few flights to orbit to hundreds <b>in</b> orbit. I disagree that Liftport's SE would be detrimental to the short-term interests of any rocket company.Okay yes, if we succeed a great deal of their market is (probably) gone.But …* There will always be a need for short-notice launch to LEO. Some loads just can't wait for the seven day trip to orbit via SE.* The SE can only get a load to orbit – it can't do anything with it once it gets there. There is likely a far bigger market for rockets in orbit that will be opened up by an SE.This is of course going to be disruptive and some companies won't make the transition. This happens; time for the managers and C-level leaders to game how they'll transition away from a few flights to orbit to hundreds in orbit.

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