A realistic appraisal of the problem shows, the author says, that space travel is not just around the corner.
He points out that we will most certainly have to await the development of high-velocity rockets with very low weights, which will be difficult to attain.
Space travel will come, he feels, by the gradual process of developing better sounding rockets, longer-range rocket missiles, and eventually satellite vehicles. These last will be the first embryonic space vehicles.
Only when this experience lies behind us does he believe that we will be in a position to consider the construction of a full-fledged spaceship capable of leaving the gravitational dominance of the earth.