You are not logged in.
http://uplink.space.com/attachments//28 … eplane.gif
747 spaceplane
http://uplink.space.com/attachments//28 … eplane.gif
717 spaceplane
http://www.spaceref.com/news/viewpr.html?pid=5118
Microwave research paper used for specific impulse.
The propulsion system described is *steam* derived from fuel cell waste.
The hydrogen fuel cells are run in PARALLEL to achieve the equivelent of a small nuclear powersource for a small duration of 8-12 minutes or until the spaceplane reaches PERIGEE ORBIT.
Offline
Like button can go here
Hum I saw this on another forum a while ago... Why is using a 30% effecent fuel cell and then a 50% effecent mircowave emmiter better than using a 70% effecent chemical rocket? There's no free lunch, if you calculate your energy requirments (0.5 x mass of propellent x propellent velocity x propellent velocity ) and then the potential energy of your fuel by weight 13.333 MJ a kg for LH2 and LOX, you will find that the maximum exahust velosity possible is 5000 m/s because of the energy requirments. using fuel cells and electric steam rockets is not practical.
Ad astra per aspera!
Offline
Like button can go here
I found this idea on the internet as well, a little while ago. Are there any other opinions? Could there be modifications to make it more efficient? I've seen that fuel cells are 70-90% efficient, not 30%. Does that mean a higher exhaust velocity?
-Josh
Offline
Like button can go here
