Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

To: DesertRhino
How about an American rocket that can take off, and then land again back at the launch pad?

Reusable Launch Vehicle

Grasshopper Flight test 12/17/12

8 posted on 01/12/2013 9:16:08 PM PST by Vince Ferrer
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 2 | View Replies ]


To: Vince Ferrer
How about an American rocket that can take off, and then land again back at the launch pad?

Until there is some sort of breakthrough in propulsion, this is impractical for Earth operation.

Look at the Saturn IB. 90 percent of it was thrown away to get 10 percent into orbit, then you were out of fuel and rocket power.

Now imagine you have to also bring along the entire craft into orbit (SSTO, Single Stage To Orbit,) and also bring to orbit enough fuel to land with.

Impossible with today's technology. The Delta Clipper was also doomed from the start because of this same flaw.

DC-X (Delta Clipper) Flight 8

Any SSTO to be successful with today's propulsion technology will most likely be a VentureStar like proposal, adding air breathing engines for part of the ascent (to reduce the on board oxidizer requirements,) and a shuttle like aerodynamic landing.

17 posted on 01/13/2013 8:10:28 AM PST by Yo-Yo (Is the /sarc tag really necessary?)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 8 | View Replies ]

Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article


FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson