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Hybrid Launch Systems
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Space Station Member ![]() ![]()
Joined: Mon Dec 12, 2011 6:40 am
Posts: 476 Location: California and Michigan ![]() |
So, one thing I have recently read is that inferior cheap rockets, with a low faliure rate, and low performance can be combined with a maglev launch and Scramjet, to get into space cheaply, any thoughts?
_________________ Let not the bindings of society hold you back from improving it.... the masses follow where the bold explore. |
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Moon Mission Member ![]() ![]()
Joined: Mon Dec 18, 2006 11:15 pm
Posts: 1050 Location: Columbus, GA USA ![]() |
Maglev, or any other "track" or "gun" launch system is not cheap. It has a high initial investment cost that only breaks even if you launch a lot or over the long term. This makes the barrier to entry for this technique higher than other launch schemes.
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Space Station Member ![]() ![]()
Joined: Mon Dec 12, 2011 6:40 am
Posts: 476 Location: California and Michigan ![]() |
What about a electric drag car on a scaled slot car track? They have electric motors and constant variable transmissions working good, roads are cheap, just a thought...
_________________ Let not the bindings of society hold you back from improving it.... the masses follow where the bold explore. |
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Spaceflight Participant ![]() ![]()
Joined: Sat Sep 24, 2011 9:01 pm
Posts: 75 ![]() |
Just do what Burt Rutan is doing and launch from a plane. Just because he was the first to do it doesn't mean he is the only one who can. Really you don't even need a plane, just engines and wings. The fuselage is there to attach the orbiter to the air breathing engines and first stage wings. It can be made as small as possible and still do it's job. ......sooo ok it's a plane but it won't look anything like what you recognise as a plane today.
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Moon Mission Member ![]() ![]()
Joined: Mon Dec 18, 2006 11:15 pm
Posts: 1050 Location: Columbus, GA USA ![]() |
This should get the wheels turning...
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Space Station Commander ![]() ![]()
Joined: Thu Oct 27, 2005 7:44 am
Posts: 707 Location: Haarlem, The Netherlands ![]() |
Ekranoplan? Well, it's big, but it's not very fast and it doesn't go very high. I don't think it'd be that much more useful as a first stage than the SeaLaunch floating launch platform. A big supersonic flying delta wing could be interesting though. Put the rocket on top...
_________________ Say, can you feel the thunder in the air? Just like the moment ’fore it hits – then it’s everywhere What is this spell we’re under, do you care? The might to rise above it is now within your sphere Machinae Supremacy – Sid Icarus |
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Joined: Wed Aug 18, 2004 8:47 am
Posts: 521 Location: Science Park, Cambridge, UK ![]() |
Fly back boosters was used to great effect in the film Thunderbirds Are Go!
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Moon Mission Member ![]() ![]()
Joined: Mon Dec 18, 2006 11:15 pm
Posts: 1050 Location: Columbus, GA USA ![]() |
Lourens wrote: Ekranoplan? Well, it's big, but it's not very fast and it doesn't go very high. I don't think it'd be that much more useful as a first stage than the SeaLaunch floating launch platform. A big supersonic flying delta wing could be interesting though. Put the rocket on top... You don't think 500 kph at 1 m MSL is fast? Also they were built to a specific purpose as a high speed weapon's platform or assault craft. |
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Space Station Commander ![]() ![]()
Joined: Wed Aug 18, 2004 8:47 am
Posts: 521 Location: Science Park, Cambridge, UK ![]() |
JamesG wrote: Lourens wrote: Ekranoplan? Well, it's big, but it's not very fast and it doesn't go very high. I don't think it'd be that much more useful as a first stage than the SeaLaunch floating launch platform. A big supersonic flying delta wing could be interesting though. Put the rocket on top... You don't think 500 kph at 1 m MSL is fast? Also they were built to a specific purpose as a high speed weapon's platform or assault craft. Pretty sure it's the same speed as 500kph at 1000m. It's slow there for a rocket launch platform... |
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Space Station Member ![]() ![]()
Joined: Mon Dec 12, 2011 6:40 am
Posts: 476 Location: California and Michigan ![]() |
Maglev is possible now, and not that outlandish or expensive, the main issue there is cost and that is not that substantial compared to the cost of chemicals, both monetarily and ecologically, and with the nonrenewablity or re-usability of the current schemes, and after its done, its done, it can be used for a multitude of launch vehicles if is designed properly, including those with rockets if need be, this just extends our current launch weight as well as potentially eliminates the need for disposable space ships, as well as caustic and or explosive reactions,
side note, can energy be stored as momentum in a super-fluid contained within a torus, and then be extracted somehow later? just another idea.... _________________ Let not the bindings of society hold you back from improving it.... the masses follow where the bold explore. |
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Space Walker ![]() ![]()
Joined: Wed Jan 11, 2012 10:19 pm
Posts: 189 Location: Outside Wonko the Sane's house. ![]() |
Sigma wrote: side note, can energy be stored as momentum in a super-fluid contained within a torus, and then be extracted somehow later? just another idea.... _________________ "You can't have everything, where would you put it?" -Steven Wright. |
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Moon Mission Member ![]() ![]()
Joined: Mon Dec 18, 2006 11:15 pm
Posts: 1050 Location: Columbus, GA USA ![]() |
Look up "superfluids" (hint: they are frictionless).
Where it would be impractical is that the usual suspect, helium, has such low mass that the volume would have to enormous or it's velocity stupendous in order to store a meaningful amount of energy. If you can find another element or compound with more density that exhibits super-fluid behavior, then it might be worth looking into. |
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