A Space & astronomy forum. SpaceBanter.com

Go Back   Home » SpaceBanter.com forum » Space Science » Technology
Site Map Home Authors List Search Today's Posts Mark Forums Read Web Partners

SSTO propulsion overview



 
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
  #81  
Old May 12th 04, 02:06 PM
Ash Wyllie
external usenet poster
 
Posts: n/a
Default SSTO propulsion overview

Henry Spencer opined

In article ,
Allen Meece wrote:
The bigger the area of the heat shield, the lesser the area unit heat,
the
higher the L/D ratio and the slower the sink rate and the longer the
duration of reentry.


Uh, no. The larger area *does* lessen heat loads. However, it makes no
difference to L/D -- that is a function of *shape*, not size -- and it
makes almost no difference to reentry duration, which is driven almost
entirely by L/D.


But if the larger size does not increase the mass much, wouldn't a lower
density vehicle stay at a higher altitude longer?


-ash
Cthulhu for President!
Why vote for a lesser evil?

 




Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

vB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Forum Jump

Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
A revolutionary propulsion system asps Space Shuttle 49 December 21st 03 10:25 PM
Rudolphi Named NASA Space Shuttle Propulsion Manager Ron Baalke Space Shuttle 1 November 18th 03 04:16 PM
Rudolphi Named NASA Space Shuttle Propulsion Manager Ron Baalke Space Station 1 November 18th 03 04:16 PM
Ion Engine Records No Tuneups, No Problems Ron Baalke Technology 3 July 31st 03 10:03 AM
Accelerator Turbojet for SSTO johnhare Technology 0 July 9th 03 10:15 AM


All times are GMT +1. The time now is 12:56 PM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.6.4
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.
Copyright ©2004-2024 SpaceBanter.com.
The comments are property of their posters.