Space Cannon

The idea of using a large gun to propel a payload into space is almost as old as guns themselves. Newton using his newly formulated calculus was the first to explain the concept. A gun could deliver enough speed to get a projectile into orbit or even attain escape velocity. Now in reality, it is almost impossible for a cannon to put an object into a stable orbit due to complications in the projectile’s path, but it is possible to shoot a rocket high enough that the final adjustments to enter a stable orbit are comparative child's play. In recent times, the big name for "space gun" enthusiasts is Gerald Bull. A brilliant ballistic engineer Gerald Bull graduated from the Institute of Aerospace Studies at the young age of 23. He was obsessed with the completion of a "space gun." Throughout his career, Gerald tried to find patrons to finance his dream, and eventually found one in the now deposed Saddam Hussein. Saddam agreed to fund two of Gerald’s space cannon and a miniature test gun for $25 million on the condition that Gerald also help him develop his SCUD missiles. Gerald agreed and would have built the first working space guns, but due to his work on the missiles, Gerald was assassinated in 1990. Without him the project fell apart, and no serious work has been done since to build an orbital gun.