"It would be straightforward to build a saucer or some other shape to get to the edge of space and then use conventional rockets to get to orbital speed. But research like that isn't funded for the same reason that green energy is barely funded - it's not sexy."
The link wasn't to a 'green' energy site, 'over unity' is a perpetual motion machine web site. I believe simple ways to get into orbit are not funded for the same reason that perpetual motion machines aren't funded, because if they actually work there is a simple path to riches with zero dollars, thus there is no need for funding of working concepts.
The same is true for 'straightforward to the edge of space'. If you can combine free energy with easy access to high altitude you can put a cell phone repeater at 100,000' and sell phones with solid coverage in an 36 mile diameter circle for tons of money. Just putting a passive antenna up there that you could bounce UHF digital TV signals off of would get you tons of cash to fund even more 'unsexy' projects!
The link wasn't to a 'green' energy site, 'over unity' is a perpetual motion machine web site. I believe simple ways to get into orbit are not funded for the same reason that perpetual motion machines aren't funded, because if they actually work there is a simple path to riches with zero dollars, thus there is no need for funding of working concepts.
The same is true for 'straightforward to the edge of space'. If you can combine free energy with easy access to high altitude you can put a cell phone repeater at 100,000' and sell phones with solid coverage in an 36 mile diameter circle for tons of money. Just putting a passive antenna up there that you could bounce UHF digital TV signals off of would get you tons of cash to fund even more 'unsexy' projects!