giveitawhirl2008 wrote in news:cdd5d1d1-6395-
:

I guess it's really a dumb question, considering the history of
energia:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Energia

But the thought has croseed my mind: if a deep-pockets entity built a
lifter that could put up 200,000 lbs, or greater, might not someone
decide, 'hey, we could build a space station to lauch on that thing,'
or 'hey, we could use that to send up and assemble moonships or
Marsships [or such]?"

With the heavy lifter already developed and available at some
particular price per lauch, then someone ELSE could concentate on
applications: space stations for tourists, interplanetary craft, etc.

There would be extremely few, if any, payloads. The proposed missions
would cost *much* more than the launch cost; if it takes deep pockets
just to develop and build the rocket, imagine what it'll take for a
manned Mars mission.

Maybe, just maybe, solar power; that stands a chance of actually
generating money to pay for the investment.

This is a case of, if it was built they might come if you
gave them a good reason for it.

--Damon