To reduce the cost of space travel, could we slingshot a spaceship to mars?

Question

Is it possible to create a track for a space ship to dock with and gain momentum using solar energy. At the desired velocity, if the ship left its tracks would it not take alot less fuel to sustain that speed?

I apologize for the misunderstanding. I am suggesting launching the ship from orbit. Also I am extremely interested in the magnarail... is it possible to create a circular track powered by alternating magnets... as the magnarail.. to reach a desired speed and then sustain that speed with either fuel or solar paneling as a energy source. Upon arrival to mars could they not construct a similiar circular track? This would be to gain high speeds so that the fuel needed to initially reach these speeds would no longer be needed. The less fuel you use the less the ship weighs and therefore reduceces costs. Since due to the laws of motion... would the ship not sustain the speeds it launched at?

Answer 1

If by slingshot you mean to launch a craft from the Earth's surface to reach Mars, it is not possible: air resistance would incinerate it before it ever got into space. If you are referring to using a gravitational well, as that of Venus has been used to accelerate vehicles bound for the outer planets, the only dodge that would be of use would be to use the Earth's gravity to accelerate a craft launched from the moon. (The moon's gravity is not strong enough to be of much use to accelerate craft launched from Earth.)
-- Robert A. Saunders, Lake Stevens, WA.

Answer 2

Yes you are right it would take alot less fuel to sustain that speed. But, theres always a but. You can only "sling shot" a space ship so fast. the reason for using rocket fuel is so it will get there in the same life time as the scienctists who launched it. If the space ship had humans in it they would not be able to carry enough food and still get off the launch pad and make it to mars alive, if they could live for 80 yrs in a space the size of a small bathroom. But good thinking, you got your head outa the gutter and thinking outside the box.

Answer 3

slingshot with the moon?velocity would be the main ingredient. im sure one orbit would not be enough without all engines were used at the maximum thrust.i am assuming you want to use the shuttles.if NASA goes with next mission like i heard they were according to the man who is over it all,we might see something new.if the foam that is between the shuttle and the large fuel cell falls apart and damages the shuttles heat plates,the crew is going to do their mission then leave the shuttle for the space station to wait for another shuttle to pick them up.this is to avoid another shuttle disaster.

Answer 4

I'd rather see humanity invent a renewable and abundant fuel resource. I think that would help us colonize mars a lot sooner than a gravitational slingshot.

Remember. however long it takes us to build one here, it'll take that long to build another at mars when we get there.

Answer 5

solar power is not powerful enough to make the spaceship over come gravity...and if as you say we put it on a track too, then there will be the factor of surface resistance...and air resistance is i think the most important factor...so this slingshot theory is not possible

Answer 6

slingshotting using the gravitational force of objects (earth, moon) is already being put to use

Answer 7

yes, but our national defense budget would be insufficient for that much raw rubber material.kidding.

Answer 8

I thought that woudl require oxygen.

Answer 9

Nothing is impossible, but it is so incredibly unlikely.

Answer 10

sure with the power of farts