Vehicles which can achieve orbit within minutes of a command decision may be needed in the future for a variety of missions. Such orbit-on-demand vehicles may have propulsion requirements that are somewhat different from vehicles designed for routine transportation, but the propulsion evaluation studies of the past need to be considered as a starting point for orbit-on-demand vehicle studies. This paper surveys airbreathing propulsion studies including composite, airturbo-rocket, and scramjet systems and rocket propulsion studies including composite, airturborocket, and scramjet and rocket propulsion studies including dual-fuel and pure hydrocarbon systems. One indication from the results is that a horizontal takeoff airbreathing system with supersonic staging will have a higher development cost than rocket systems primarily because of the cost of the airbreathing engine development. Another indication is that pure hydrocarbon rocket propulsion for a vertical takeoff system may be feasible. Eliminating the requirement for hydrogen fuel may be worthwhile for orbit-on-demand vehicles.


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    Title :

    Propulsion options for orbit-on-demand vehicles


    Contributors:

    Publication date :

    1984-02-01


    Type of media :

    Conference paper


    Type of material :

    No indication


    Language :

    English




    Propulsion evaluation for orbit-on-demand vehicles

    Martin, James A. / Naftel, J. Chris / Turriziani, R. Victor | NTRS | 1986


    Propulsion evaluation for orbit-on-demand vehicles

    MARTIN, J. / NAFTEL, J. / TURRIZIANI, R. | AIAA | 1985


    Propulsion evaluation for orbit-on-demand vehicles

    Martin, J. A. / Naftel, J. C. / Turriziani, R. V. | NTRS | 1985


    Propulsion evaluation for orbit-on-demand vehicles

    MARTIN, JAMES A. / NAFTEL, J. CHRIS / TURRIZIANI, R. VICTOR | AIAA | 1986