A Big Space Craft

[Lafayette]

I am wondering if is it feasible to create a space craft the size or even bigger than an aircraft carrier? And if so, how would it be done and what would be the estimated cost? All I can guess at is the cost would be humongous.

 

[tinkerdan]

In theory you can make a spacecraft as large as you want as long as you construct it in space and never plan on using it to make landfall.
Otherwise when involving gravity and such the limits are escape velocity and the fuel and technology to lift beyond that velocity.
[in theory, again, the one is space has some escape velocity factors depending on how far you intend to travel.]

 

[Swank]

Throw a factory that uses reflectors to melt iron and the ability to make more machines at an asteroid and wait 30 years - your cost when complete will be effectively free.

As far as size goes, we know very well how to build enormous structures capable of sustaining 1G indefinitely and take relatively large sideloads - skyscrapers. Put an engine under one and you have a very capable spacecraft.

 

[BAYLOR]

Throw a factory that uses reflectors to melt iron and the ability to make more machines at an asteroid and wait 30 years - your cost when complete will be effectively free.

As far as size goes, we know very well how to build enormous structures capable of sustaining 1G indefinitely and take relatively large sideloads - skyscrapers. Put an engine under one and you have a very capable spacecraft.

And O'Neill Cylinder ?

 

[Swank]

And O'Neill Cylinder ?

No. Skyscrapers.

 

[Pyan]

No. Skyscrapers.

OCTOBER 2023 -- 75 Word Writing Challenge -- VICTORY TO GENELEWIS!

Look Through Any Window No one goes near Boötes Void. 350 million light years of nothingness. Ships disappeared. They stopped sending rescue missions. Since I'm half-mad anyway, I take a detour through it to evade some people. Look! Floating windows. It's not empty after all. I'll fly through...

www.sffchronicles.com