Air-breathing aerospace plane development essential: Hypersonic propulsion flight testsHypersonic airbreathing propulsion utilizing scramjets can change transatmospheric accelerators for low earth-to-orbit and return transportation. The value and limitation of ground tests, of flight tests, and of computations are presented, and scramjet development requirements are discussed. It is proposed that near full-scale hypersonic propulsion flight tests are essential for developing computational design technology so that it can be used for designing this system. In order to determine how these objectives should be achieved, some lessons learned from past programs are presented. A conceptual two-stage-to-orbit (TSTO) prototype/experimental aerospace plane is recommended as a means of providing access-to-space and for conducting flight tests.
Document ID
19950028302
Acquisition Source
Legacy CDMS
Document Type
Conference Paper
Authors
Mehta, Unmeel B. (NASA Ames Research Center Moffett Field, CA, United States)
Date Acquired
August 16, 2013
Publication Date
February 1, 1995
Publication Information
Publication: ESA, Proceedings of the 2nd European Symposium on Aerothermodynamics for Space Vehicles