October 25, 2004

wrote:

How about Rutan himself?

Very funny. He doesn't build engines.

I'll volunteer. It would help if we had an actual engine program. All we
have right now is the Integrated Powerhead Demonstrator.

http://www.aero.org/publications/cro...er2004/03.html

Of course, there are also two upper stage pseudo programs, the MB-50/60
and the RL-50/60.

What we did have was an SLI, with two engines in the queue : the Cobra
and RS-83, but it got canceled in favor of vaporware, the OSP and CEV,
to be launched on nonexistent EELV Heavies.

We need to reverse that trend, and accelerate the IPD, up the thrust
levels to 650/750 klbs. and get ourselves some fast turnaround channel
wall nozzle technology, and then use the shuttle to return SSTO
demonstrator engines from LEO, and get ourselves into cryogenic tank
retrofit development. Once we retire the shuttle, we also need to use
our SSME assets for SSTO development. We also need to get a small
capsule on the Delta IV Medium ASAP, man rate the pad and the booster,
and think about setting up another man rated pad at SLC-37A.

It's really very simple, once you make the necessary commitments.

I've made that commitment, long ago.

Thomas Lee Elifritz
http://elifritz.members.atlantic.net






- Ed Kyle