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"Stack" rocket concept?
I've long noticed that the problem with the space industry is
limited demand. With demand for only so many space shots, there doesn't seem to be a potential for economies of scale. However, what if each launcher was composed of many disposable mass produced units? Then a small number of space shots still has the potential for economies of scale. Here's an idea: /\ / \ | | /\ |__| /\ ||=|__|=|| /\ |__| /\ |__| |__| |__| |__| |__| |__| This rocket is a stack of cylindrical fuel tanks topped off by the payload. Around the top of the vehicle is clustered a number of rocket thrusters. Fuel is consumed from the bottom-most tank first; the tanks are disposed of one by one as they are consumed. As the mass of the vehicle diminishes, less and less thrust is needed. Opposite pairs of thrusters are discarded as they are no longer needed. With 8 thrusters, you get the equivalent of four stages. This concept is the direct opposite of the SSTO RLV approach, although I suppose you might make the thruster units recoverable. Obviously, with the rocket thrusters up near the top thrusting downward, this concept isn't suitable for cryogenic fuel. Thoughts? Isaac Kuo |
#2
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"Stack" rocket concept?
Calling Nowicki?
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