Intro LM2 Intro LM 2 Page 2 Curator's Choice Online


 

Early science fiction movies depicted spaceships as being capable of launching directly from the Earth, landing on another planet, and then flying directly back to the Earth and landing again in one piece. Such a concept is called "direct ascent." However, the fuel requirements alone on such "spaceships" require that they be massive, making them impractical in reality.

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Painting depicting "direct ascent" vehicle on lunar surface. Copyright (c) 2002 Bonestell Space Art