If starships were to be used for bulk shipping, how/where would they dock?

Question

Would they have to dock in space, due to their size? How would their supplies get down to Earth's surface? (And no, I don't mind sci-fi related answers.)

Answer 1

The Space Elevator is probably one of the most efficient means to get things on and off the Earth. While it does seem a bit insane, some thorough and exhaust reviews have been conducted at NASA and it has some possibilities.

For landing at places that have gravity, but are still in a vaccuum, like the moon, the VASMIR (plasma rocket) developed at NASA by Dr. Frank Chang-Diaz, (with enough power) could provide enough specific impulse to land and launch from the moon efficiently.

The trick with "starships" is that they are typically designed to operate in a micro-gravity environment and the forces they encounter are from it's own propulsion system. However, if you are actually warping space, or sliding through dimensions to get from point A to Point B, or quantum teleportation, then your ship really isn't experiencing a force of motion of any signifigance because you aren't traveling persay, but the destination is being brought to you (in a sort of absurd way).

I guess the best example we have today is the space station. It isn't designed to land on Earth, but can very comfortably zip around the Earth at 17,500 mph.

Answer 2

Well there are lots of theories of course...

The one I like the most is the elevator from the highest mountain in South America. Really farfetched and obviously not workable.

One would think that the best method would be using shuttles that can take off and land on earth. Then have a space station in geosynchronous orbit, where the starships would dock to offload/take on supplies.

The real detriment to this ever happening is the inability of the human race to come up with an artificial gravity system that is cheap and easy to maintain. Without it any humans living in space would have to stay there for the rest of their lives, because their bone structures would no longer be able to support them under gravity.

Answer 3

IF we had starships, we might use the Moon or an orbiting artificial port as a dock. If we didn't have transporter beams, we might use space tugs, haulers sort of like that the Space Shuttle was envisioned to be. If we didn't ave some sort of antigravity, we'd still have to wait for shipment by means of truck... mail, UPS, FedEx, or what have you.

But, if we're going to say we have starships, why not just say we have machines in our living rooms that can build anything we want molecule-by-molecule, using nanotechnology...?

That way, we don't have to wait for anything to be delivered. Just tell the machine (it's voice programmed and has enough social AI to understand what we mean when we speak idiomatically) what we want and shovel some rocks into the raw materials intake hopper and when it is done building our new shoes, or a prime steak, or whatever, PING it will ring a little bell so we will know it is ready!

Answer 4

the Space Elevator isn't actually that far off.......another one of Arthur Clarke's visions that worked ( see TelStar and modern comm satellites) it depends on cables made from carbon nanotubes.....and there are two startups in California working on this today....

and before anyone has the nerve to say that's impossible sci fi dreaming....remember what you're doing RIGHT NOW,,,sitting at box of electrical do das the size of a large book, hooked by glass fiber cables sending information at the speed of light to up to 1 Billion people located anywhere on the planet in real time, and with access to about 75% of the sum total of human knowledge........a technology and industry and economy that didn't exist 20 years ago.........

Answer 5

I prefer the old fashion space ship that can both land on Earth and travel to other stars. Hey, if we are going to imagine having starships, let's imagine good ones!

Answer 6

transporters silly. they'll simply beam everything down to our front door. might make shipping a bit more expensive but the delivery time would be super fast.