You are not logged in.
http://www.wvi.com/~lelandh/srbowl001.html
in the late 50's early 60's the Sr-71 was setup to launch a hypersonic UAV that would carry a wetfilm camera. The UAV would be launched from over 60'000 feet in which altitude the Ramjet could be effectively started. I know the M-21(modified SR71)D-21 combo was thrown out for a launch from a B-52 with a rocket assist to proper altitude(another famed vehicle shared this launch platform, The X-15) Just wondering if anyone thinks with 21st Century technology this could be done less expensively. Seems similiar to Space Ship One concept.
We are only limited by our Will and our Imagination.
Offline
Like button can go here
I've thought about the air-launch idea for a two-stage spacecraft. It would require a Mach 4 staging speed and a fuel fraction of 65% in the orbiter. The problem with these ideas is always separation. It's much harder to separate two objects that are traveling at supersonic speeds instead of subsonic speeds. The airflow over a delta wing is supposed to be benign enough to allow staging, but a control failure on the parasite aircraft/spacecraft (such as what happened with the A-12 / D-21) will lead to the destruction of both vehicles. For that reason, bottom-carriage is preferred by most designers.
Who needs Michael Griffin when you can have Peter Griffin? Catch "Family Guy" Sunday nights on FOX.
Offline
Like button can go here
why was it classified at all?
Offline
Like button can go here
The Tag Board, D-21 program was classified because a hypersonic UAV/DRONE with a camera has but one purpose, flying over the Soviet Union. But the reason I expressed interest is the SR-71 was launching these at over 80,000' at Mach 3, which would definitely help you get into orbit a little easier. And the SR-71 is fifties technology and D-21 is sixties technology(Also a ramjet)
We are only limited by our Will and our Imagination.
Offline
Like button can go here