The present comparative performance study has established that rocket-based combined cycle (RBCC) propulsion systems, when incorporated by essentially axisymmetric SSTO launch vehicle configurations whose conical forebody maximizes both capture-area ratio and total capture area, are capable of furnishing payload-delivery capabilities superior to those of most multistage, all-rocket launchers. Airbreathing thrust augmentation in the rocket-ejector mode of an RBCC powerplant is noted to make a major contribution to final payload capability, by comparison to nonair-augmented rocket engine propulsion systems.
Studies of an extensively axisymmetric rocket based combined cycle (RBCC) engine powered single-stage-to-orbit (SSTO) vehicle
1989-07-01
Conference paper
No indication
English
Assessment of RBCC-powered VTHL SSTO vehicles
AIAA | 1999
|SSTO Spaceplane by Airbreather/Rocket Combined Cycle (ARCC) Engine
British Library Conference Proceedings | 2000
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