1
vote
1answer
12 views
ambient pressure range for turbofan/turbojet operations
Consider a turbofan, with specific impulse of [greater than either solid or hybrid motor configurations]. To optimize a jet-assist launch trajectory, I seek the ambient pressure ra …
3
votes
5answers
407 views
Could a balloon carry a rocket to the edge of space so that it could then launch beyond earth’s gravity?
I've watched all the recent videos on YouTube that show a simple balloon/camera combination getting to the edge of space. Why could this same methodology not be used to cheaply ge …
3
votes
3answers
32 views
What significant advances in rocketry have been made in the past 40 years?
As we approach the first flight test of the Ares I-X -- a rocket that is, in effect, a space shuttle SRB with a large dummy load -- I wonder how much progress we've made since the …
1
vote
2answers
28 views
Best aerospace engineering and astronautics textbooks?
What textbooks are being used these days by aero/astro graduate programs or by practicing aerospace engineers? I'm particularly interested in propulsion and spacecraft design. I'm …
1
vote
1answer
32 views
Falcon 9 first launch, details on the Dragon model being used
Has anyone seen details about the Dragon engineering model that SpaceX intends to use on the first Falcon 9 launch?
I am curious if they will include a heat shield and try a cont …
1
vote
0answers
4 views
multimodal launch angle optimization for orbital trajectories: turbofan/jet
Background: Seeking to optimize a multimodal orbital launch trajectory and insertion. Considering the use of a turbofan to exploit dense atmosphere near ground rather than waste pr …
