Your last question hit the money -- everyone seems to think there is a
potential for those markets; but I don't know of any serious efforts/funding
to create them. As for heavy-lift launchers there are a few options
available if you needed it within a few years.

One is the Russian Energia rocket which was also used to lift the Russian
shuttle, Buran, into LEO. It has a capacity around 100 metric tons. The
production line is pretty cold, but its a possibility. The downside is that
you're launching from Balkinour, so your orbit inclination is at least 51
degrees. A launch site closer to the equator would allow the Energia to
loft a slightly larger payload into orbit. (I seem to remember the Russians
and Australians recently involved in discussions for using Christmas Island
as a potential launch site for mcuh smaller launchers.)

The other is an American STS variant that people have kicked around for
years, the "Shuttle-C". Take the SRBs and the External Tank, but instead of
mounting an orbiter with wings, mount a shrouded payload and main engines.
All that mass required for wings isn't going to be necessary if you're not
worried about coming back to Earth. I think that might give you something
on the order of 80 metric tons to LEO. Maybe more with the superlight ET
and main engine improvements.

"MattWriter" wrote in message
...
Are there any serious proposals in work now for a very-heavy-lift (Saturn
class) booster? Potential uses might include the space-based laser,
getting
future nuclear-powered missions off Earth, tourist hotels built as one
units,
etc. Is there enough of a market that anyone is seriously pursuing this?

Thanks,




Matt Bille
)
OPINIONS IN ALL POSTS ARE SOLELY THOSE OF THE AUTHOR