A comparison of single-stage and two-stage airbreathing launch vehicles at high staging Mach numbers

A predominantly airbreathing SSTO vehicle is compared with three different two stages to orbit (TSTO) configurations which stage at Mach numbers 10, 12, and 14. The technologies utilized on each of the vehicles are consistent with a successful NASP technology development program in the areas of structures, propulsion systems, and subsystems. To determine the effect of subsystem and structural technologies on the relative weights of the SSTO and TSTO configurations, weight sensitivity trades are presented.