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Message-ID: <8601192031.AA02004@vice>
Date: Sun, 19-Jan-86 15:31:21 EST
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Posted: Sun Jan 19 15:31:21 1986
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To: tekcrl!tektronix!hplabs!ucbvax!space
Subject: Re: Lighter-than-air Launch
References: <506391103.ns@H.CS.CMU.EDU>

The problem is not UP, it's ACROSS.  The energy needed for vertical lift
into low earth orbit is about 5% of that needed for horizontal delta V.
Lifting or lightening all the ground-based support equipment for a launch
(in order to make it airborne) to save a small fraction of vertical launch
energy is not a very good tradeoff.

Keith Lofstrom
MS 59-316, Tektronix, PO 500, Beaverton OR 97077  (503)-627-4052
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