Space transport

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Currently, the most common technology for space transport is rocket propulsion, which expels matter to provide a net forward thrust. There are different ranges and types of rockets for different environments and goals however, including:

There are also several non-standard propulsion systems in the works which do not directly rely on rocket propulsion, including solar sails, magnetic sails, plasma-bubble magnetic systems, and using gravitational slingshot effects. A more advanced concept is the space elevator.

For more types, see spacecraft propulsion.
For a complete list of space launchers, see the list of rockets.
For more information on the business of space transportation, see private spaceflight.

There are other forms of transportation to orbit beyond rockets that leverage new technologies like carbon nanotubes that will create new mass transit capabilities to orbit. These new materials will allow us to create cables, a tether, that stretch from the surface of the Earth all the way to orbit. These cables will allow us to create space elevator mass transit systems that can augment and/or replace today's conventional methods to gain orbit. Most 'concept' depictions of these show a counterweight at the orbit end of the cable. Practicality demands that the 'counterweight' will most likely be an orbiting station of some sort, something Marriott International or a company like it will be keenly interested in solving.