[QUOTE]
By [URL=mailto:rob.coppinger@flightglobal.com]Rob Coppinger[/URL]
Ideas for developing and operating a semi-reusable launcher that uses its engines to "rocket-back" for a gliding landing at the launch site have been requested by the [URL=http://www.af.mil/]US Air Force[/URL].
Under the USAF's reusable booster integrated demonstration concept options maturation study, organisations are to provide information on how technologies can be developed for an unmanned vertical take-off, horizontal landing rocket. They will also indicate how it would carry out suborbital missions and place heavy payloads into orbit.
The rocket-back manoeuvre occurs after the second-stage separation, with the first-stage engines providing enough thrust to enable a glide return.
The USAF says: "A reusable booster system...is intended to significantly reduce launch costs and improve responsiveness. An integrated demonstration project will be required to mature the technologies."
[IMG]http://www.flightglobal.com/assets/getAsset.aspx?ItemID=33824[/IMG]
The specific areas in which the USAF wants information are concept of operations, development approach, synergies with other Department of Defense and civil capabilities. It also wants to know about technologies including health management, airframe, ground equipment and main engines.
The USAF concept calls for the reusable booster's main engine to be fuelled by pump-fed liquid oxygen and kerosene.
[/QUOTE]
Addendum
[QUOTE]Henry Cobb said:
A glider needs a big wing near its center of gravity while a rocket
wants small fins way back.
So how do you make one airfoil do both jobs?
Simply build your first stage as a glider then develop a disposable
adapter that connects the nose of the glider to the tail of the second
stage so that the overall diameter changes very little. (Area
ruling.)
When the two stages are connected the wing is way back on the first
stage and helps with vertical launch stability.
Once the extended nose of the second stage has flow off the remaining
much shorter aircraft has a wing it can glide back to Earth on.[/QUOTE]
Source:
[url]http://www.flightglobal.com/articles/2010/04/20/340788/usaf-seeks-reusable-booster-concepts.html[/url]
Reminds me of this:
[IMG]http://www.projectrho.com/rocket/stageChute01.jpg[/IMG]
(Artwork by R.A. Smith)
I saw a concept somewhere of boosters that fly back for a landing.
With all our technology in UAV's you know they can do it.
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