The Skyhook

The solar system's new fastest mode of travel? And it's as simple as a catapult. Literally!

The Skyhook is a concept which is incredibly easy for anybody to grasp. It transports objects using space tethers, which consist of a cable and weight. The Skyhook is a special kind of space tether which spins around (staying in place with a counterweight) and uses a planet's orbit to throw objects to any conceivable place in the solar system. These space tethers are also very cheap in energy, as they gain momentum when they receive a payload, and lose some momentum when they transport away a payload. This means that Skyhooks can essentially work perpetually, and with the help of small boosters to keep them in place, can be extremely efficient and accurate forms of fast travel (Kurzgesagt, 2019).