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I think there is a very big difference between putting raw material and sophisticated electronics into orbit. One of them can't survive sudden acceleration to 8k meters per second.

There is some potential, but it would be hard to realize it.




Even if you shoot something on a ballistic trajectory, it must alter its delta-v after the initial launch.

Or it comes right back down again.

IANARS


Yeah, he mentions that in the article. His proposed space gun would basically replace the 1st stage of a rocket. Still a big win IMO.


For anything that can undergo that kind of acceleration, sure. Unfortunately most of the things we need to send into space kinda get squishy when that happens.


I don't know about most. Water and fuel are two big things that should survive a high G trip. I believe satellites and rovers can also be designed to survive such a trip.


Even if it were used for nothing more than creating fuel depots, it would be a pretty big win.




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