SWigdor.es@PARC-MAXC.ARPA (11/18/83)
Some interesting topics I ran across in the DOD Small Business Innovation Research Program FY 1984 solicatation. It is alway nice to see how the Air Force wants to militarize the conquest of space. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- TITLE: Trans-Atmospheric Launch of Boost Glide Vehicles Descripition: Boost Glide Vehicles (BGV) possessing high hypersonic L/D (>3.5) offer several potential strategic, long range operational capabilities useful in future systems. Current effors are underway to evaluate the utility of BGVs in the ground and air-launch modes not only for application in future systems but also as a research vehicle to explore lifting reentry technologies. This approach would couple with that effort. What is needed is the conceptual analysis of applying boost glide vehicles to launch from a vehicle in orbital and suborbital flight. The aeromechanics and dynamics problems associated with launch and atmospheric flight of the BGV need to be understood. The advantages of conducting high-speed research technology development and demonstration for this class of vehicles should be examined. Initial velocitites of the BGV will range from M 15 to orbital speeds. Its high energy will provide it with a ground impact footprint over a significant area of the earths surface. This suggests unique approaches to test range requirements for a research vehicle and highly flexible strategic operational capability. The exploitation of these unique flight characterictics must be understood and taken advantage of in any conceptual investigation. TITLE: Take-off Augmentation Devices for SSTO Reusable On-Demand Launch Sortie Vehicles Descripition: Operational requirements for on-demand single stage-to-orbit (SSTO) vehicles strongly suggest a horizontal take-off, horizontal landing vehicle. Rapid turn around and improved logistics are two of the benefits of this concept approach. However, The technology demands of a SSTO concept places it in a high development risk category with a relatively far term development time. To lower risk and development time and minimize gross-lift-off-weight (GLOW), the use of a sled like device on take-off has been suggested. Some limited evaluation of this concept has taken place. These earlier investigations indecate that SSTO vehicle feasibility exists through elimination of on-board take-off gear, and impacting high SSTO lift off velocites. Several devices that have been suggested include a rail-launcher, a multi-wheeled towable and steerable launcher, and an air-cushioned launcher. Survivability demands strongly suggest the launch concept include the capability to flush the empty SSTP vehicle to another base on warning and provide launch capability after flushing. this suggests a flyable launch device. Concepts for SSTO ground launch assist are needed for vehicles in one to one- and-a-half million pounds gross ligt-off weight class with lift-off velocities of appoximately 300 knots. Conceptual data required for such devices include propulsion system, aerodynamic performance capabilities, alternate base of ferry capability, runway and basing requirements, and rapid turnaround capability. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Interesting stuff, sounds like a fighter plane/shuttle which performs like a X-20 class vehicle and which could perform missions as a ground or air based vehicle or as a orbital based vehicle. Its hard to imagine how much they are going to get on these subjects from a research program (SBIR) which only funds up to 1 man-year for companies of under 500 employees. But if the Air Force thinks it can get good proposals from this what is to stop us from doing this type of R&D either for them or privately. I always felt that a private space shuttle would have to be of the X-15, X-20 type air dropped from a cargo type plane. This is probably the best approach to utilize present technology in a reusable space system. Gee a privately funded shuttle and if we can purchase the NASA external tanks we could have a space station too in probably the same time frame as NASA and its fancy station. If anybody is interested in discussing this you can message me via the net and if that doesn't work here is the rest of the info: SWigdor.es@Parc-Maxc.Arpa Sheldon Wigdor Xerox 701 S. Aviation Blvd ms A2-34 El Segudo Ca 90245 213-536-7477