0
There are theoretically several methods, but so far the only two that have actually been demonstrated to work is to strap big honking chemical rockets onto it and launch it that way or to use a "space plane" that flies like a plane in the atmosphere and like a rocket in space.
Usage of space planes has been extremely limited so far. The US Space Shuttle looks sort of like a plane, but has been informally referred to as a "flying brick" and lifts off like a rocket. The wings provide just enough lift for it to make a controlled landing, not really enough for it to actually "fly". The only really "plane-like" craft that's made it to "space" (over 100 km altitude) is SpaceShipOne, and even then it is not capable of achieving orbit and required a carrier to lift it from the ground initially.
Theoretical methods that haven't actually been used:
A balloon can be used to lift a payload, but not to put it into orbit; the spacecraft would have to carry an engine capable of accelerating it to orbital velocity.
A mass driver could be used to accelerate a craft to a velocity that could put it into orbit. This would require an extremely long track to be used for manned craft, but a shorter track and a greater acceleration could be used for unmanned payloads.
Nuclear engines (at least two different types) have been suggested, but are rather problematic. The "Orion" type uses nuclear bombs to provide propulsion (which is problematic for both ecological and political reasons). The "Nerva" type is less problematic politically, but there are still safety concerns.
Space elevators have engineering and safety problems; no known material is strong enough to support a tower high enough, and the "tethered" variety requires a material with a very high tensile strength and we don't have anything strong enough for that either. There's also the problem of what happens if it fails (read "The Barsoom Project" for a description of several types of space elevators, and the failure modes associated with each).
Wiki User
∙ 8y ago
Add your answer:
Earn +20 pts
What is a launch of a spacecraft?
The process by which a spacecraft is propelled into space.
How long to get to space station by space shuttle?
Because the space station is in such a bad orbit for US spacecraft to launch to, it takes about 2 days in space for the shuttle to rendevous with the space station. The space station was built by the US & Russians, spacecraft from both countries had to be able to send supplies up on a regular basis, so the orbit of the ISS is difficult for the shuttle to reach.
What are landers spacecraft for?
landers are things which they send out into space to search through other planets to look for life forms and new chemical :)
Is a space probe a manned or unmanned spacecraft?
Unmanned - Space probes are a form of robotic spacecraft.
What is the difference in the space shuttle and other spacecraft?
how is the space shuttle different form other spacecraft
Did you send any space missions to Eris?
We should send space probe just like New Horizons Spacecraft to Eris. So we can launch this spacecraft in 2015 to make Jupiter, Saturn, and Neptune flybys then to Eris.
What date did the US and USSR worked together to send spacecraft to space?
Jan 25 1964.
What was the first machine that the Russians used to send people into space?
The USSR's Vostok 1 was the first ever spacecraft to carry a man into space.
Was Jan 25 1964 the first year US and Soviet Union send together the spacecraft to space?
Yes.
What was the purposes of the Gemini program?
The Gemini program wanted to send man and spacecraft into space for two or more weeks. They also wanted to perfect the reentry and landing of the spacecraft. During the Gemini program was also when we had the first space walk.
What was the purpose of the Gemini program?
The Gemini program wanted to send man and spacecraft into space for two or more weeks. They also wanted to perfect the reentry and landing of the spacecraft. During the Gemini program was also when we had the first space walk.
Who was hermann oberth?
the inventor of space travel!!!!! He pioneered many of the space navigation techniques used to send probes and spacecraft to far-off celestial bodies.
What spacecraft that carry instrument that travel into outer space?
a space craft
How long to get to space station by space shuttle?
Because the space station is in such a bad orbit for US spacecraft to launch to, it takes about 2 days in space for the shuttle to rendevous with the space station. The space station was built by the US & Russians, spacecraft from both countries had to be able to send supplies up on a regular basis, so the orbit of the ISS is difficult for the shuttle to reach.
What is a launch of a spacecraft?
The process by which a spacecraft is propelled into space.
What are landers spacecraft for?
landers are things which they send out into space to search through other planets to look for life forms and new chemical :)
What is the difference in the space shuttle and other spacecraft?
how is the space shuttle different form other spacecraft
