You mentioned the takeoff run of a SSTO space plane as a critical facter. Boosters would ease this. Yes, it is a compromise, more structure and low efficiency fuel. But the problem at this point would not be thrust efficiency, but thrust power. Also, it could allow throttleback of the high ozone producing engines during initial climbout at low altitude. So, while a SSTO is more sexy, the technical and possibly enviornmentally friendlier 1.5, (1.25?) stage apporach would be easier and possibly cheaper in development and operation. In terms of adding mass the examples of military planes is even worse as I believe thay did not eject the spent solid rocket casings. But, again, takeoff power outweighed efficiency concerns.93143 wrote:The concern is ground-level ozone. Large amounts of it near populated areas. We don't need that.D Tibbets wrote:Why worry about ozone? So long as there were not to many space planes flying, some more ozone may be a good thing (if you do most of your accelerating in the stratosphere). Heck takeoff from Chile and fly over Antartica in polar orbits to fill the ozone hole Of course that would be somewhat inconvient for trying to get something to an equatorial orbit.
...As far as conventional takeoff space planes, do the constraints concider cheating by using strap on rocket boosters like many Air Force planes have used in the past (like B47, C-130, etc)?
I'll just link you to this previous rant of mine, lest I spend all evening on a massive broadside:
http://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index. ... #msg427616
The immediately ensuing discussion provides some elaboration if you want it.
Besides, how much ozone would be produced with such an engine. How would it compare to the Concod's ozone and NO output at low and high altitude? Concidering the frequency of flights, say 100 Concord flights (defore it was retired) per one SSTO flight, which would produce more NO and O3 pollution? For that matter, how would it compare to the Shuttle? or other rockets/ per pund of payload? How would it comepare to all the supersonic fighters flying? Wow would it compare to the amounts of qzone produced by lightning? Also, I would not expect SSTO spaceplane flights from urban airports.
Dan Tibbets