From: henry@spsystems.net   
      
   In article ,   
   Scott Moore   wrote:   
   >1. assuming the next "big prize" would be an orbital vehicle, what is the   
   >lowest altitude an object can be orbited at, if only for a circuit or so ?   
      
   At about 150km it's marginally possible.  200km is more comfortable.   
      
   Reaching orbit is mostly a problem of horizontal velocity, not altitude.   
   The big problem is not getting up to orbital altitude, but accelerating to   
   about 8km/s once you're there.   
      
   >2. If SS1 wanted to go somewhere instead of straight up, would it be able to,   
   >say, cross the United States at several mach, above the atmosphere ?   
      
   No.  The artillery rule of thumb is that maximum horizontal range is twice   
   the altitude reached when fired straight up, which would give SS1 maximum   
   range of only a couple of hundred kilometers.  The wings would improve the   
   situation somewhat, but still, this is not a transcontinental vehicle.   
      
   >3. How much bigger (more thrust) would SS1 have to have to achieve orbit ?   
      
   It would have to be completely redesigned.  Modest upgrades to its engine   
   hardware could probably get it to orbital altitude, but there's no way it   
   can possibly carry enough fuel to accelerate to orbital velocity.   
   --   
   "Think outside the box -- the box isn't our friend."    |   Henry Spencer   
                                   -- George Herbert       | henry@spsystems.net   
      
   --- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05   
    * Origin: you cannot sedate... all the things you hate (1:229/2)