On 17-12-18 14:45 , Jeff Findley wrote:

Reaction Begins Building U.S. Hypersonic Engine Test Site
Dec 18, 2017 Guy Norris, Aerospace Daily & Defense Report
http://aviationweek.com/space/reacti...us-hypersonic-
engine-test-site

Curious. I've only ever known this to be a European endeavor.

[snip]

I still seriously doubt we'll ever see a Skylon launch itself into orbit
with a useful payload. IMHO, we'll see a fully reusable (liquid fueled
rocket powered) TSTO long before even a prototype Skylon makes orbit
(likely with zero useful payload).

What do you feel about the SpaceX BFS as an SSTO? According to Musk, at
https://www.reddit.com/r/space/comme...ng_about_bfr/:


"Worth noting that BFS is capable of reaching orbit by itself with low
payload, but having the BF Booster increases payload by more than an
order of magnitude."

If the planned maximum ascent payload of the BFS is 150 tons, that means
its SSTO payload could be on the order of 10 tons...

Musk also says (at the same place) that SpaceX plans to test the BFS as
an SSTO, before they test it with the booster.

--
Niklas Holsti
Tidorum Ltd
niklas holsti tidorum fi
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