Sunday, July 22, 2012

Very interesting day blogging yesterday

Perhaps I should include a speculation alert since I'm not qualified to make the following judgments:  

A couple things that I figured out yesterday:

One of those things is that reusable spacecraft with a short turnaround time will definitely be feasible.   If Stratolaunch doesn't make it, then something else could.

It could be something like a powered beam contraption that would enable a spacecraft to avoid having to carry as much mass onboard, which would greatly assist it in getting to orbit.

The second thing is that the SSTO spacecraft called the Skylon is probably going to be feasible.  There was July 2nd Space Show I listened with Mark Hempsell, who is connected to the program.  He didn't say that the most recent tests were a failure.  Therefore, I gather then that they were a success.  The tests involve a pre-cooler which would enable the spacecraft to fly up to Mach 5 before going to rocket mode.  This is a critical finding which could lead to some revolutionary aircraft if nothing else.  The next thing is to have a dual mode air-breathing conventional rocket motor.  If that is invented, the rest appears to be well within reach.  He predicted something will be flying by 2020, if I am not mistaken.  Exciting.

Space will be conquered soon.  The effects upon society could be dramatic.

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