On: SpinLaunch is building a centrifuge to launch satellites into orbit

[nohat]

Put this on the moon and we are talking. I'm not sure I see this being too useful otherwise, considering how much extra fairing mass those gforces are going to require

[krasin → nohat]

Yes, SpinLaunch on Moon launching ore concentrates. No housing needed, g-forces irrelevant; gravity well is smaller.

Obligatory link, "Moon is a Harsh Mistress", by Heinlein: https://archive.org/details/TheMoonIsAHarshMistress_201701

[zaroth → krasin]

I came here to say exactly the same thing. Perfect for my favorite project to save the Earth - launching refined moon dust at Lagrange points.

[nso → zaroth]

I swear I either read a book or watched a movie in which they did exactly this.

[mech422 → krasin]

I loved Heinlein as a kid...

I wonder how many geeks today realize he's the origin of the term 'grok' ?

[andrewflnr → mech422]

A lot? It's not that big a secret, if the question ever occurs to you. I've known for a while and haven't even read the book.

[mech422 → andrewflnr]

I don't think its a secret, but I do think it was before a lot geeks time...hell, it was actually published almost a decade before my time :-P

P.S. It also appears 'grok' has fallen out of favor over the years. It's too bad, I always liked how subtle it was - the distinction between knowing WHAT something does and WHY it does it(eg fully understanding it)

[pranavdotexe → nohat]

A smooth bore gun (like the one in tanks) with a very long barrel will work for moon projectiles as well.

[robin_reala → pranavdotexe]

See also: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Super_High_Altitude_Research_P...