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foam rocket

a rocket full of foam filler
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instead of mixing hydrogen and oxygen put foam epoxy that solidifies (as a filler) in it and fire it. then the foam solidifies and if you run out of fuel or air up in space then climb down.
technobadger, Jan 15 2001


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Annotation:







       I remember a similar idea being proposed in the "Daedalus" section (long since defunct, alas) of New Scientist magazine many moons ago (I'm not saying Technobadger's idea isn't original: In fact I like it: just that it was also invented independently by Daedalus). Among the applications suggested for the foam rocket were emergency bridge construction. "Soldier! Bridge that canyon!". "Sir, yes sir!" <whoosh>. Instant bridge.
Skinny Rob, Jan 15 2001
  

       what happens after the trip? do you just leave the foam there or does it have to be destroyed?
kaz, Dec 03 2001
  

       we don't know, but it sure as hell would make architechture an interesting hobby
#1Fan, Jun 21 2002
  

       How do you keep the "rocket" on track when you reach the stratosphere and get hit by the jetstream ? You're not going fast enough to use aerodynamic steering, and the sideforce will be considerable ....
8th of 7, Jun 21 2002
  

       This would be cool. You could shape the nozzle so that the pillar was hollow, and put stuff up it.
si_pronto, Jul 08 2002
  

       space elevator!
tazmase2, Jul 19 2003
  

       Bad - epoxy foam would ( almost certanly ) be too weak, you'd have to go all the ways up to geo stationary orbit, the foam would have a low specific impulse ( need to bring even more fule ), and it'd take forever to climb down.
my-nep, Oct 17 2003
  


 

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