ORVAL FAIRAIRN wrote:

The problem, of course is that it takes so damn much raw energy even to
make orbit, so the cost is astronomical. It will remain so until we make
some physics breakthrough that allows true antigravity machines.

But even if we ignore the cost of the energy involved, there's also the cost
of the vehicle. The shuttle was supposed to save that cost by being
reusable.

There were probably other savings intended; it's been a long time those
topics were discussed and I just don't remember anymore.

BTW, there are other places to save on that energy cost besides the ultimate
of antigravity (assuming that it's sufficiently "magical" that one need not
pay the cost of the potential energy gain of climbing into orbit {8^).
Anything that involves expending the energy on the ground, from the fancy
laser ideas to just shoving a large bomb up the tailpipe laugh saves on
the cost of lifting fuel, for example.

- Andrew