Hypersonic air-breathing propulsion utilizing scramjets can fundamentally change transatmospheric accelerators for low earth-to-orbit and return transportation. The value and limitations of ground tests, of flight tests, and of computations are presented, and scramjet development requirements are discussed. It is proposed that near full-scale hypersonic propulsion flight tests are essential for developing a prototype hypersonic propulsion system and for developing computational-design technology so that it can be used for designing this system. In order to determine how these objectives should be achieved, some lessons learned from past programs are presented. A conceptual two-stage-to-orbit (TSTO) prototype/experimental aerospace plane is recommended as a means of providing access-to-space and for conducting flight tests. A road map for achieving these objectives is also presented.
Air-breathing aerospace plane development essential: Hypersonic propulsion flight tests
European Symposium on Aerothermodynamics for Space Vehicles, ESTEC ; 1994 ; Noordwijk, Netherlands
1994-11-01
Conference paper
No indication
English
Air-breathing aerospace plane development essential: hypersonic propulsion flight tests
British Library Conference Proceedings | 1995
|Air-breathing aerospace plane development essential: hypersonic propulsion flight tests
British Library Online Contents | 1995
|