schillin@spock.usc.edu (John Schilling) wrote:   
   >kenw@kmsi.net writes:   
   >...   
   >>SCRAMjets would seem to have limited value if they can only be launched   
   >>via rocket.   
   >   
   >Why?  If the only purpose of the rocket is to accelerate the scramjet   
   >to scramjet operating speeds, well, rockets are the absolute best choice   
   >there is for accelerating quickly to hypersonic speeds.  Turbojets can   
   >...   
      
   Rockets, as you point out, kinda suck for aircraft because they burn so   
   much fuel.  For craft that may need to cycle multiple times between   
   supersonic and hypersonic (if you'll accept that terminology) operation   
   during a single flight, rockets are at a serious disadvantage.   
      
   >...   
   >Also, this being sci.space.tech, one has to think in terms of using the   
   >scramjet as part of a space launch system.  In which case, you're going   
   >...   
      
   Ah, good point.  And that's not what I had in mind, but I couldn't find a   
   newsgroup sci.aerospace.tech.  If you could direct me to a more appropriate   
   forum, I should be forever in your debt.  Otherwise, could we perhaps   
   broaden our perspective a bit?   
      
   /kenw   
   Ken Wallewein   
   K&M Systems Integration   
   Phone (403)274-7848   
   Fax   (403)275-4535   
   kenw@kmsi.net   
   www.kmsi.net   
      
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