Where did Heinlein say “Once you get to Earth orbit, you're halfway to anywhere in the Solar System”?
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I know what it means. I've seen delta-V charts. But I don't know if Robert Heinlein wrote this down, or simply said it off-the-cuff to somebody.
Variations include:
"Reach low orbit, and your halfway ..." (See Space Access Society logo http://space-access.org)
"Make orbit, and you're halfway ..."
If we want to attribute this to him, a citable source would be handy.
low-earth-orbit history space-art
edited Mar 24 at 1:18
uhoh
40.2k18149503
asked Mar 24 at 1:08
Rick 0xfffRick 0xfff
575410
$endgroup$
add a comment |
$begingroup$
I know what it means. I've seen delta-V charts. But I don't know if Robert Heinlein wrote this down, or simply said it off-the-cuff to somebody.
Variations include:
"Reach low orbit, and your halfway ..." (See Space Access Society logo http://space-access.org)
"Make orbit, and you're halfway ..."
If we want to attribute this to him, a citable source would be handy.
low-earth-orbit history space-art
edited Mar 24 at 1:18
uhoh
40.2k18149503
asked Mar 24 at 1:08
Rick 0xfffRick 0xfff
575410
$endgroup$
$begingroup$
This might possibly be on-topic here (not sure), but there is also Science Fiction SE and you are probably going to get faster, better, and more answers there than here. Consider asking there instead?
$endgroup$
– uhoh
Mar 24 at 1:20
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Just for the record, it should be noted that Heinlein seemed to have a good understanding of orbital mechanics. Books he wrote as early as the 1940' describe maneuvers that sound reasonable, not the usual "shoot from earth to mars in a couple hours".
$endgroup$
– Diego Sánchez
Mar 24 at 10:30
$begingroup$
I think 3/4 is more realistic, or even more.
$endgroup$
– peterh
Mar 24 at 12:52
$begingroup$
I don't know where, but it is true because if you escape elliptic gravity then it is so much cheaper to go anywhere you want. Any little thrust any direction is effective immediately.
$endgroup$
– mathreadler
Mar 24 at 14:15
add a comment |
$begingroup$
I know what it means. I've seen delta-V charts. But I don't know if Robert Heinlein wrote this down, or simply said it off-the-cuff to somebody.
Variations include:
"Reach low orbit, and your halfway ..." (See Space Access Society logo http://space-access.org)
"Make orbit, and you're halfway ..."
If we want to attribute this to him, a citable source would be handy.
low-earth-orbit history space-art
edited Mar 24 at 1:18
uhoh
40.2k18149503
asked Mar 24 at 1:08
Rick 0xfffRick 0xfff
575410
$endgroup$
I know what it means. I've seen delta-V charts. But I don't know if Robert Heinlein wrote this down, or simply said it off-the-cuff to somebody.
Variations include:
"Reach low orbit, and your halfway ..." (See Space Access Society logo http://space-access.org)
"Make orbit, and you're halfway ..."
If we want to attribute this to him, a citable source would be handy.
low-earth-orbit history space-art
low-earth-orbit history space-art
edited Mar 24 at 1:18
uhoh
40.2k18149503
asked Mar 24 at 1:08
Rick 0xfffRick 0xfff
575410
edited Mar 24 at 1:18
uhoh
40.2k18149503
asked Mar 24 at 1:08
Rick 0xfffRick 0xfff
575410
edited Mar 24 at 1:18
uhoh
40.2k18149503
edited Mar 24 at 1:18
uhoh
40.2k18149503
edited Mar 24 at 1:18
uhoh
40.2k18149503
40.2k18149503
asked Mar 24 at 1:08
Rick 0xfffRick 0xfff
575410
asked Mar 24 at 1:08
Rick 0xfffRick 0xfff
575410
asked Mar 24 at 1:08
Rick 0xfffRick 0xfff
575410
575410
$begingroup$
This might possibly be on-topic here (not sure), but there is also Science Fiction SE and you are probably going to get faster, better, and more answers there than here. Consider asking there instead?
$endgroup$
– uhoh
Mar 24 at 1:20
$begingroup$
Just for the record, it should be noted that Heinlein seemed to have a good understanding of orbital mechanics. Books he wrote as early as the 1940' describe maneuvers that sound reasonable, not the usual "shoot from earth to mars in a couple hours".
$endgroup$
– Diego Sánchez
Mar 24 at 10:30
$begingroup$
I think 3/4 is more realistic, or even more.
$endgroup$
– peterh
Mar 24 at 12:52
$begingroup$
I don't know where, but it is true because if you escape elliptic gravity then it is so much cheaper to go anywhere you want. Any little thrust any direction is effective immediately.
$endgroup$
– mathreadler
Mar 24 at 14:15
add a comment |
$begingroup$
This might possibly be on-topic here (not sure), but there is also Science Fiction SE and you are probably going to get faster, better, and more answers there than here. Consider asking there instead?
$endgroup$
– uhoh
Mar 24 at 1:20
$begingroup$
Just for the record, it should be noted that Heinlein seemed to have a good understanding of orbital mechanics. Books he wrote as early as the 1940' describe maneuvers that sound reasonable, not the usual "shoot from earth to mars in a couple hours".
$endgroup$
– Diego Sánchez
Mar 24 at 10:30
$begingroup$
I think 3/4 is more realistic, or even more.
$endgroup$
– peterh
Mar 24 at 12:52
$begingroup$
I don't know where, but it is true because if you escape elliptic gravity then it is so much cheaper to go anywhere you want. Any little thrust any direction is effective immediately.
$endgroup$
– mathreadler
Mar 24 at 14:15
$begingroup$
This might possibly be on-topic here (not sure), but there is also Science Fiction SE and you are probably going to get faster, better, and more answers there than here. Consider asking there instead?
$endgroup$
– uhoh
Mar 24 at 1:20
$begingroup$
This might possibly be on-topic here (not sure), but there is also Science Fiction SE and you are probably going to get faster, better, and more answers there than here. Consider asking there instead?
$endgroup$
– uhoh
Mar 24 at 1:20
$begingroup$
Just for the record, it should be noted that Heinlein seemed to have a good understanding of orbital mechanics. Books he wrote as early as the 1940' describe maneuvers that sound reasonable, not the usual "shoot from earth to mars in a couple hours".
$endgroup$
– Diego Sánchez
Mar 24 at 10:30
$begingroup$
Just for the record, it should be noted that Heinlein seemed to have a good understanding of orbital mechanics. Books he wrote as early as the 1940' describe maneuvers that sound reasonable, not the usual "shoot from earth to mars in a couple hours".
$endgroup$
– Diego Sánchez
Mar 24 at 10:30
$begingroup$
I think 3/4 is more realistic, or even more.
$endgroup$
– peterh
Mar 24 at 12:52
$begingroup$
I think 3/4 is more realistic, or even more.
$endgroup$
– peterh
Mar 24 at 12:52
$begingroup$
I don't know where, but it is true because if you escape elliptic gravity then it is so much cheaper to go anywhere you want. Any little thrust any direction is effective immediately.
$endgroup$
– mathreadler
Mar 24 at 14:15
$begingroup$
I don't know where, but it is true because if you escape elliptic gravity then it is so much cheaper to go anywhere you want. Any little thrust any direction is effective immediately.
$endgroup$
– mathreadler
Mar 24 at 14:15
add a comment |
1 Answer
1
active
oldest
votes
$begingroup$
This phrase was quoted by Jerry Pournelle in an article entitled "Halfway to Anywhere" first published in the Galaxy Magazine in the April 1974 Issue in his column "A Step Farther Out". This article was then collected with others into his book of the same name.
Here's the article's opening:
One of my rivals in the science-writing field usually begins his columns with a personal anecdote. Although I avoid slavish imitation, success is always worth copying. Anyway, the idea behind this column came from Robert Heinlein and he ought to get credit for it.
Mr. Heinlein and I were discussing the perils of template stories—interconnected stories that together present a future history. As readers may have suspected, many future histories begin with stories that weren't necessarily intended to fit together when they were written. Robert Heinlein's box came with The Man Who Sold the Moon. He wanted the first flight to the moon to use a direct Earth-to-moon craft, not one assembled in orbit—but the story had to follow Blowups Happen in the future history.
Unfortunately, in Blowups Happen a capability for orbiting large payloads had been developed. "Aha," I said. "I see your problem. If you can get a ship into orbit, you're halfway to the moon."
"No," Bob said. "If you can get your ship into orbit, you're halfway to anywhere."
He was very nearly right.
You can also read the whole article.
edited Mar 24 at 21:04
imallett
619411
answered Mar 24 at 1:43
OONOON
1,299511
$endgroup$
$begingroup$
Okay, this seems to be the unanimous answer.
$endgroup$
– Rick 0xfff
Mar 26 at 0:20
add a comment |
Your Answer
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1 Answer
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1 Answer
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$begingroup$
This phrase was quoted by Jerry Pournelle in an article entitled "Halfway to Anywhere" first published in the Galaxy Magazine in the April 1974 Issue in his column "A Step Farther Out". This article was then collected with others into his book of the same name.
Here's the article's opening:
One of my rivals in the science-writing field usually begins his columns with a personal anecdote. Although I avoid slavish imitation, success is always worth copying. Anyway, the idea behind this column came from Robert Heinlein and he ought to get credit for it.
Mr. Heinlein and I were discussing the perils of template stories—interconnected stories that together present a future history. As readers may have suspected, many future histories begin with stories that weren't necessarily intended to fit together when they were written. Robert Heinlein's box came with The Man Who Sold the Moon. He wanted the first flight to the moon to use a direct Earth-to-moon craft, not one assembled in orbit—but the story had to follow Blowups Happen in the future history.
Unfortunately, in Blowups Happen a capability for orbiting large payloads had been developed. "Aha," I said. "I see your problem. If you can get a ship into orbit, you're halfway to the moon."
"No," Bob said. "If you can get your ship into orbit, you're halfway to anywhere."
He was very nearly right.
You can also read the whole article.
edited Mar 24 at 21:04
imallett
619411
answered Mar 24 at 1:43
OONOON
1,299511
$endgroup$
$begingroup$
Okay, this seems to be the unanimous answer.
$endgroup$
– Rick 0xfff
Mar 26 at 0:20
add a comment |
$begingroup$
This phrase was quoted by Jerry Pournelle in an article entitled "Halfway to Anywhere" first published in the Galaxy Magazine in the April 1974 Issue in his column "A Step Farther Out". This article was then collected with others into his book of the same name.
Here's the article's opening:
One of my rivals in the science-writing field usually begins his columns with a personal anecdote. Although I avoid slavish imitation, success is always worth copying. Anyway, the idea behind this column came from Robert Heinlein and he ought to get credit for it.
Mr. Heinlein and I were discussing the perils of template stories—interconnected stories that together present a future history. As readers may have suspected, many future histories begin with stories that weren't necessarily intended to fit together when they were written. Robert Heinlein's box came with The Man Who Sold the Moon. He wanted the first flight to the moon to use a direct Earth-to-moon craft, not one assembled in orbit—but the story had to follow Blowups Happen in the future history.
Unfortunately, in Blowups Happen a capability for orbiting large payloads had been developed. "Aha," I said. "I see your problem. If you can get a ship into orbit, you're halfway to the moon."
"No," Bob said. "If you can get your ship into orbit, you're halfway to anywhere."
He was very nearly right.
You can also read the whole article.
edited Mar 24 at 21:04
imallett
619411
answered Mar 24 at 1:43
OONOON
1,299511
$endgroup$
$begingroup$
Okay, this seems to be the unanimous answer.
$endgroup$
– Rick 0xfff
Mar 26 at 0:20
add a comment |
$begingroup$
This phrase was quoted by Jerry Pournelle in an article entitled "Halfway to Anywhere" first published in the Galaxy Magazine in the April 1974 Issue in his column "A Step Farther Out". This article was then collected with others into his book of the same name.
Here's the article's opening:
One of my rivals in the science-writing field usually begins his columns with a personal anecdote. Although I avoid slavish imitation, success is always worth copying. Anyway, the idea behind this column came from Robert Heinlein and he ought to get credit for it.
Mr. Heinlein and I were discussing the perils of template stories—interconnected stories that together present a future history. As readers may have suspected, many future histories begin with stories that weren't necessarily intended to fit together when they were written. Robert Heinlein's box came with The Man Who Sold the Moon. He wanted the first flight to the moon to use a direct Earth-to-moon craft, not one assembled in orbit—but the story had to follow Blowups Happen in the future history.
Unfortunately, in Blowups Happen a capability for orbiting large payloads had been developed. "Aha," I said. "I see your problem. If you can get a ship into orbit, you're halfway to the moon."
"No," Bob said. "If you can get your ship into orbit, you're halfway to anywhere."
He was very nearly right.
You can also read the whole article.
edited Mar 24 at 21:04
imallett
619411
answered Mar 24 at 1:43
OONOON
1,299511
$endgroup$
This phrase was quoted by Jerry Pournelle in an article entitled "Halfway to Anywhere" first published in the Galaxy Magazine in the April 1974 Issue in his column "A Step Farther Out". This article was then collected with others into his book of the same name.
Here's the article's opening:
One of my rivals in the science-writing field usually begins his columns with a personal anecdote. Although I avoid slavish imitation, success is always worth copying. Anyway, the idea behind this column came from Robert Heinlein and he ought to get credit for it.
Mr. Heinlein and I were discussing the perils of template stories—interconnected stories that together present a future history. As readers may have suspected, many future histories begin with stories that weren't necessarily intended to fit together when they were written. Robert Heinlein's box came with The Man Who Sold the Moon. He wanted the first flight to the moon to use a direct Earth-to-moon craft, not one assembled in orbit—but the story had to follow Blowups Happen in the future history.
Unfortunately, in Blowups Happen a capability for orbiting large payloads had been developed. "Aha," I said. "I see your problem. If you can get a ship into orbit, you're halfway to the moon."
"No," Bob said. "If you can get your ship into orbit, you're halfway to anywhere."
He was very nearly right.
You can also read the whole article.
edited Mar 24 at 21:04
imallett
619411
answered Mar 24 at 1:43
OONOON
1,299511
edited Mar 24 at 21:04
imallett
619411
edited Mar 24 at 21:04
imallett
619411
edited Mar 24 at 21:04
imallett
619411
619411
answered Mar 24 at 1:43
OONOON
1,299511
answered Mar 24 at 1:43
OONOON
1,299511
answered Mar 24 at 1:43
OONOON
1,299511
1,299511
$begingroup$
Okay, this seems to be the unanimous answer.
$endgroup$
– Rick 0xfff
Mar 26 at 0:20
add a comment |
$begingroup$
Okay, this seems to be the unanimous answer.
$endgroup$
– Rick 0xfff
Mar 26 at 0:20
$begingroup$
Okay, this seems to be the unanimous answer.
$endgroup$
– Rick 0xfff
Mar 26 at 0:20
$begingroup$
Okay, this seems to be the unanimous answer.
$endgroup$
– Rick 0xfff
Mar 26 at 0:20
add a comment |
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$begingroup$
This might possibly be on-topic here (not sure), but there is also Science Fiction SE and you are probably going to get faster, better, and more answers there than here. Consider asking there instead?
$endgroup$
– uhoh
Mar 24 at 1:20
$begingroup$
Just for the record, it should be noted that Heinlein seemed to have a good understanding of orbital mechanics. Books he wrote as early as the 1940' describe maneuvers that sound reasonable, not the usual "shoot from earth to mars in a couple hours".
$endgroup$
– Diego Sánchez
Mar 24 at 10:30
$begingroup$
I think 3/4 is more realistic, or even more.
$endgroup$
– peterh
Mar 24 at 12:52
$begingroup$
I don't know where, but it is true because if you escape elliptic gravity then it is so much cheaper to go anywhere you want. Any little thrust any direction is effective immediately.
$endgroup$
– mathreadler
Mar 24 at 14:15