I recall seeing a presentation on a really tiny SSTO, less than 9 meters
tall. What is the minimum size that works? A scale DC-X, or design that
doesn't require exotic engines like the RE design might be doable by an
amateur group. It actually might be simpler than a staged design in terms
of mechanicals and number of valves, the problem is materials and
tolerances get crazy in an SSTO.
On Mon, May 30, 2016 at 10:35 PM, Keith Henson <hkeithhenson@xxxxxxxxx>
wrote:
This is probably beyond the charter of this group but . . . .
The Reaction Engines precooled engine may be the most advanced in the
world. It gets good performance up to 26 km on air before it switches
to internal LOX for the last 6 km/s to orbit.
The really sticky part is the precooler, but Reaction Engines has
installed a huge capacity to make them and just might be willing to
supply some.
The only thing more impressive than a SSTO would be an amateur SSTO.
Worth discussing? Or is it just too far over the horizon?
Keith