From: cdorrough@nortonconsultants.com   
      
   "Ian Stirling"  wrote in message   
   news:iMkGc.3444$Fc7.628915@stones.force9.net...   
   > Allen Meece  wrote:   
   > > < > wings that uses a single rocket motor all the way to orbit, and dumps   
   > > it's gas tank on the way up.>>   
   > >   Like an SS1 with a drop tank? Just brainstorming but if SS1 had a twin   
   > > strapped under it, that was just a fuel tank, that might hold 30+ times   
   the   
   > > fuel of a single SS1. The tank could be dropped when empty and then   
   flown back   
   > > by computer and remote control, keeping the cost down.   
   >   
   > I'm assuming you'r getting "30+" times from the fact that it it needs some   
   > 30* the speed.   
   > However, that doesn't work, as you've also got to accellerate the fuel,   
   > so it becomes 900*, but then the engines, and ... can't cope with that,   
   > so it gets orribly complex.   
      
   .and even if you could get all the way to orbit, you had better improve the   
   TPS a fair bit or it will get mighty warm on the way back down. ;-)   
      
   It will be most interesting to see what Mr Rutan comes up with next.   
      
   Cameron:-)   
      
   --- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05   
    * Origin: you cannot sedate... all the things you hate (1:229/2)