Tuesday, December 10, 2024

Stage Zero of a Space Rocket

My previous proposition for a single stage Space Ship is not feasible with chemical rocket engines. It maybe feasible with a fusion rocket engine which is not feasible at the moment. Here I propose a zeroth stage for a space rocket. The purpose of this stage is to raise the rocket to a very high altitude where it launches. At very high altitude the air drag and Earth's gravity would be lower. Therefore the rocket can be launched anywhere on Earth, no need to be closer to equator. No need for complex heatshields and aerodynamic designs compared to a sea level launch. The heavy weight lifter stage zero can be used on commercial heavy and large cargo transfer. This is important for a sustainable space policy. The more the technologies developed for space also utilized on Earth the less cost would be on the space budget. Solution to a successful space exploration is not increasing the budget but spending it wisely. 

The Stage Zero can be an X-Wing for VTOL operation. X Wing design would allow easy vertical take off and its larger wing area assist heavy lifting. 
X-Wing would utilize Scimitar engine, like the one on this article "Simulation of a Variable-Combined-Cycle Engine for Dual Subsonic and Supersonic Cruise" (Novel propulsion concepts are to be developed if the sustained high speed flight is to be feasible. To that end, the Scimitar engine benefits from the usage of cryogenic hydrogen through a complex combined cycle.)
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/263852855_Simulation_of_a_Variable-Combined-Cycle_Engine_for_Dual_Subsonic_and_Supersonic_Cruise

X-Wing would have additional liquid propulsion rockets to assist heavy vertical take off. After take off it would fly like a plane and would utilize very efficient turbo fan engines. In the lower altitudes it would utilize the turbofan setup. At higher altitudes it would transform into a Scramjet and later into an Air Turbo Rocket (ATR). Scramjets theoretically can operate at up to 75 km. As a result Stage Zero would set the launch point of a space rocket from ground zero to 75km. It's VTOL design allows easy launch and easy return. Could be operated like an ordinary plane with a lower maintenance cost than a recoverable rocket. It would totally work with liquid hydrogen and oxygen which is environmentally friendly. 

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