OrbitalConfusion
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Hello! So Im just going to post some thoughts in a really unorganized way... Perhaps this will stimulate some conversation and I will walk away from this learning something new.
Ok, after thinking, then reading about this method.. Why the heck are we not doing this? Without attempting to crunch numbers It seems that if you carry a rocket to FL400-FL500 you bypass the thickest part of the atmosphere. The amount of propellant I THINK would be a substantial savings not to mention a lighter, smaller rocket.
I assume building a plane to handle this would be something out of a science fiction movie... I mean, the wing-span needed to create enough lift... Then, designing Jet engines with enough thrust to take the whole she-bang up to an appreciable altitude.
Maybe using jet engines for the first part and as the plane gets to an altitude you could fire some SRB's or liquid propellant engines to take the plane even higher?
I cant really find a reason why this would not work. I mean, I know your not going to want to strap a SaturnV on it, but for a small crew vehicle with the ability to also have a seperate model like the Soyuz progress for basic ISS supplies.. Why not?
What do you guys think?
Ok, after thinking, then reading about this method.. Why the heck are we not doing this? Without attempting to crunch numbers It seems that if you carry a rocket to FL400-FL500 you bypass the thickest part of the atmosphere. The amount of propellant I THINK would be a substantial savings not to mention a lighter, smaller rocket.
I assume building a plane to handle this would be something out of a science fiction movie... I mean, the wing-span needed to create enough lift... Then, designing Jet engines with enough thrust to take the whole she-bang up to an appreciable altitude.
Maybe using jet engines for the first part and as the plane gets to an altitude you could fire some SRB's or liquid propellant engines to take the plane even higher?
I cant really find a reason why this would not work. I mean, I know your not going to want to strap a SaturnV on it, but for a small crew vehicle with the ability to also have a seperate model like the Soyuz progress for basic ISS supplies.. Why not?
What do you guys think?