The Sea Dragon rocket was a concept put forth by Robert Truax in 1962. It was a proposal for a two stage launch vehicle capable of putting over 500 tons into LEO, potentially at a cost of around $100/kilo.
In order to save costs, the vehicle was planned to be constructed out of low cost materials, such as 8mm steel sheet, and launched from the open ocean. Evidently, this was considered to be feasible with 1960s tech (The Astronautix article claims that Aerojet had previously tested the launch concept), but funding dried up post-Apollo.
First off, do y'all think this concept would have been feasible, and able to deliver the stated performance goals?
Second, how might our space program look different if this program had in fact been successful. I think we would have a much larger presence in LEO, with such a (relatively) cheap launch capability.
In order to save costs, the vehicle was planned to be constructed out of low cost materials, such as 8mm steel sheet, and launched from the open ocean. Evidently, this was considered to be feasible with 1960s tech (The Astronautix article claims that Aerojet had previously tested the launch concept), but funding dried up post-Apollo.
First off, do y'all think this concept would have been feasible, and able to deliver the stated performance goals?
Second, how might our space program look different if this program had in fact been successful. I think we would have a much larger presence in LEO, with such a (relatively) cheap launch capability.