the verne gun

[Kerbart]

As a matter of fact this method was used for an accidental deep space launch

Yes, as mentioned in a previous post...

(..)

The gun would work for inanimate objects (say, manhole covers) but it's not likely it can ever be used for breathing humans.

(...)

[lajoswinkler]

And this is what they look like after said 100+ G reentry.

http://i2.mirror.co.uk/incoming/article197211.ece/ALTERNATES/s615/blobfish-pic-caters-771402167-197211.jpg

Here's a better approximation. ^^

[Captain Sierra]

That is better! Now we actually need the cannon!

[Kerbart]

Here's a better approximation. ^^

Ok, so we have Bob or Bill... what about Jebediah?

[lajoswinkler]

Got it.

[kiwi1960]

Instead of nukes, how about this blast from the past.... (I'm 53 and read about it years ago in a very old issue of Popular Science or Popular Mechanics)

A more modern idea relates to using this on the Moon because there is less gravity and no air resistance...

You have a 5 mile track and at the end, it slowly curves to a straight up position. You install your payload onto a rocket sled and 'light the fuse"

The advantage with this system, on earth, is no huge space vehicles, and very little, if any, space junk.

However, for the poor Kerbals, the idea would work better if used on the Mun.

[Wahgineer]

Instead of the (obviously flawed) Verne cannon, we should just stick with the much safer Orion.

Why is Orion safer?

can be moved to any location to launch (empty desert)

doesn't need to be launched with nukes (chemical explosives in low atmo., nukes in upper)

accelerates at a much more reasonable pace (let the reader use discernment on the meaning of reasonable.)

can be constructed in orbit

accelerates slowly enough to be considered man rated.

[KvickFlygarn87]

Instead of the (obviously flawed) Verne cannon, we should just stick with the much safer Orion.

Why is Orion safer?

can be moved to any location to launch (empty desert)

doesn't need to be launched with nukes (chemical explosives in low atmo., nukes in upper)

accelerates at a much more reasonable pace (let the reader use discernment on the meaning of reasonable.)

can be constructed in orbit

accelerates slowly enough to be considered man rated.

*cough*necro*cough*

[Wahgineer]

There have been worse necros than this (try ones on the order of 2-3 YEARS instead of 2-3 months).