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would this be possible
if you have seen superman returns you will know what i mean
would it be possible to piggyback some sort of shuttle on aircraft such as a modified boeing 777 with a twin tail config to a sutable launch possation so that the shuttle could ignite its engines and climb into orbit under its own thrust
just a thought
Comments
8 years ago
I think there is (or was) a commercial launch vehicle that was launched from a B52. Not big enough to carry anyone (or, more correctly, anyone who wanted to live once they got into orbit). I think more interesting is a supersonic (like the Valkyrie bomber that never went into production) or hypersonic aircraft to launch from.
9 years ago
If you're wanting a system that can be turned around quickly for rescues, you need to dig up the old McDonald Douglas Delta Clipper (DC-X) scheme, a single-stage-to-orbit vessel that could be controlled by three men in a truck with PCs (vs NASA/Shuttle's 20,000 staff at an entire town-sized base), and could be turned around between flights in 24 hours (vs six months for the Shuttle).
DC-X could even hover on its thrusters, and even landed safely on autopilot after human error blew out the side of the ship.
Reply 9 years ago
Look at what Jeff Bezos' "Blue origin" is up to......
Reply 9 years ago
Oh, that is interesting!
And they appear to be hiring, interns as well as "proper" jobs.
Reply 9 years ago
I have a nasty feeling though that SSTO might not be possible with current materials technology :-(
Steve
Reply 9 years ago
McD reckoned they could do it with some really light materials they were sourcing from Russia.
Reply 9 years ago
(Oh, and an entire DC-X ship cost less than a Shuttle toilet.)
Reply 9 years ago
i like the idea of it but i would personly like some sort of shuttle craft that can be launch at a seconds notice from a specialized airport sort of like space lifeguard
Reply 9 years ago
Reply 9 years ago
i like it but it just not what im looking for im thinging of something that can hold 10 or 11 people not 2 or 3 and have the ability to have diferent cargos for difderent perposes
Reply 9 years ago
What you're after does not exist, but it *is* what was envisaged for the final version of DC-X (you see, any aircraft with an "X" in the code is a prototype).
Reply 9 years ago
i know that i was just wondering is it possible
9 years ago
Look up Virgin Galactic.
Reply 9 years ago
virgin galactic doesnt go into orbit or carry cargo
Reply 9 years ago
What about Stratolaunch Systems?
Reply 9 years ago
i was thing of something manned and piggybacked in launch position not carried underneath the aircraft
Reply 9 years ago
Why?
Reply 9 years ago
Manned because i would like it to be able to preform space based recues and piggyback so you can use a production aircraft instead of having to design and build a whole new aircraft
Reply 9 years ago
What makes you think an existing aircraft is ideal? You don't need all that useless cargo volume inside your huge converted passenger jet and you're likely to be introducing unnecessary problems into the design of your space craft.
Reply 9 years ago
no the cargo would be replaced with added structor to help with the g forces of launch and the main engines would one egnite when the aircraft has disingaged and it would be cheaper to use a extiing aircraft
Reply 9 years ago
Uh huh....