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HELL (High Energy Laser Launch)
Technology > Application > Transportation > Atmospheric Transport
Technology > Application > Transportation > Surface-To-Orbit Transport
Technology > Application > Transportation > Surface-To-Orbit Transport
 Image from Anders Sandberg |
HELL - High Energy Laser Launch site at the Baykonur Republic.
Owned and operated by Phoenix Space Development, the Baykonur HELL was the cheapest surface to orbit system operating in that period. The first launches were in 85 A.T. (2055 c.e.)
The propellant was ice, dyed black, heated into steam by the launch lasers along the flight path. Each laser was powered by 5 x 10 gigawatt nuclear reactors, able to launch one vehicle each hour.
Later designs employed a combination of magnetic acceleration and laser launch to boost crewed modules into orbit.
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Development Notes
Text by Anders Sandberg
Initially published on 02 May 2013.
Initially published on 02 May 2013.
