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Orbital Resort to Launch by 2010
Neil Halelamien writes "Popular Science has a cover feature on self-made billionaire and space enthusiast Robert Bigelow (who's been mentioned before on Slashdot). The article has new info on Bigelow's plans to launch a 'CSS Skywalker' orbital resort by 2010 and sell space habitats to others, such as scientists, manufacturers, Hollywood producers, and countries. The habitats will be made of inflatable modules with multilayered kevlar-like walls. A prototype habitat will be launching on a SpaceX Falcon V next year. To help ensure cost-effective access to the station, Bigelow is also running the $50 million America's Space Prize. In the long run, he plans to use the modules as the basis for space yachts and moon cruisers."
I can't wait for the day I get a chance to get to space. Hopefully in my lifetime it will be affordable... and by affordable, I mean like SouthWest Airline's $79 one way to Vegas from Chicago.
Space amazes me, and good luck to Robert Bigelo.
"I cannot think of any need in childhood as strong as the need for a father's protection." -- Sigmund Freud
...should be great, as long as you don't try using IE there.
It's like no cheese I've ever tasted, lad.
So is this like those Moon Walk things you see at birthday parties and fairs?
Fallout 3 will suck.
can't hardly wait to have my GM chickens grown all globular in zero G. Think of how tender they'll be with no gravity to stress the muscles! delicious.
permaveal 3000
chicken a 'la 'blimp.
Space Gigolo........
We're whalers on the moon,
We carry a harpoon,
For they ain't no whales
So we tell tall tales
And sing our whaling tune.
Playing Darts is Strictly Forbidden!
Space Stations? I think the HTML Skywalker would be a better name!
T.J. Schmitz - the man, the myth, the legend - o
Engineer: Cap'n, the engines have gone haywire and the navigational controls have hit the bucket! The nude orbital resort is floating towards URANUS!
Captain: Engineer, if I wasn't busy getting a biometric distortion in my pants from staring at these naked green slave girls from Orion, I'd throw you out the airlock.
I hereby nominate Bill Gates and Darl McBride to test this first. In the mean time, lets put up some more space junk. :P
Every time you post an article on Slashdot, I kill a server. Think of the servers!
Ok.
How's this then: put up your habitat, then give it about 1/6th G equivalent spin.
Many, many people have thought it likely that reduced gravity will extend the human lifetime signifigantly, like maybe even a 50% increase.
Reduced gravity would also make some of the problems the elderly face less of a bother; getting around would be MUCH easier.
If someone puts something like this up, I can easily see the upper-class elderly (who are capable of making the trip) putting there $$$ into a trust to pay for their living in orbit.
And, when their money runs out, it would be IMPOSSIBLE to send them back to 1 G, so you can just shove 'em out the airlock.
Why, yes, I AM a Pagan Libertarian.
So..... When are we going to visit the people on other planets and scare them off by randomly appearing in the sky ? :p
Of course, that whole 8G launch thing might be hell on the ol' osteoporotic hips. I hope your space station includes an infirmary with "Below the waste amputations while you wait!" coupons.
Dewey, what part of this looks like authorities should be involved?