Path: utzoo!attcan!uunet!husc6!cmcl2!phri!dasys1!tbetz From: tbetz@dasys1.UUCP (Tom Betz) Newsgroups: sci.space Subject: Re: Hawaiian spaceport? (Was: Re: SPACE Digest V8 #221) Keywords: south sea artificial launch platform Message-ID: <4940@dasys1.UUCP> Date: 13 Jun 88 04:01:46 GMT References: <880611013552.2500654f@Csa5.LBL.Gov> Reply-To: tbetz@dasys1.UUCP (Tom Betz) Organization: The Big Electric Cat Lines: 24 I agree it would be unwise to build a launch base on Hawaii proper. But the general area is conducive to launch sites, so other alternatives should be investigated. Has anyone looked into the feasability of artificially- constructed "islands", perhaps just over the horizon to the south of the Hawaiian Islands? There must be suitable volcanic reefs there that are normally submerged... it would be a nontrivial task to install the necessary facilities, but it would be the least intrusive approach when it comes to affecting the tourist trade, and much of the facility (that which does not require absolute stability) could be constructed to float on the sea, much as oil drilling platforms do. The energy contributed to the launch process would be considerable... would it be enough to justify the expense? It seems that it might... and what are the relative pros and cons of sea ditching versus land ditching as regards safety to crew and others? Strikes me that Hawaii as a launch location would provide the Shuttle ample opportunity for both. -- Tom Betz {allegra,philabs,cmcl2}!phri\ ZCNY {bellcore,cmcl2}!cucard!dasys1!tbetz Yonkers, NY, USA 10701-2509 {sun}!hoptoad/ "Opinions? What opinions? These are >facts