While SALVO is an operational testbed for ALASA, it will use different launch technologies. Boeing plans to take a unique approach with the ALASA launch vehicle that is also intended to lower complexity and thus costs. The rocket will be powered by a monopropellant: a combination of nitrous oxide and acetelyene, mixed together in the same propellant tank and “slightly chilled” below room temperature, Clapp said. That propellant choice offers simplicity as well as a specific impluse “not far off” from LOX and RP-1. “That’s kind of a big deal,” he said. “In general, it’s a dramatic simplification of the complexity of a rocket vehicle.”
The rocket’s design is also unusual, mounting four engines just below the payload on the vehicle. The engines are used for the first and second stages of the rocket, with propellant tanks below the engines dropping away when exhausted. This approach avoids the expense and complexity of separate sets of engines for the first two stages
sublight is back said:What is the separation altitude and velocity? I just cant see that being cheaper than a solid rocket 1st stage. MAYBE for a private jet, it would be cheaper than an F15, but that private jet isn't going to get near the altitude and velocity of that F-15.....
Didn't the Navy just say their railgun would hit satellites? A bigger railgun for launching satellites would make more sense than this.....
sublight is back said:What is the separation altitude and velocity? I just cant see that being cheaper than a solid rocket 1st stage. MAYBE for a private jet, it would be cheaper than an F15, but that private jet isn't going to get near the altitude and velocity of that F-15.....
Didn't the Navy just say their railgun would hit satellites? A bigger railgun for launching satellites would make more sense than this.....
TomS said:The launch acceleration for a railgun would be heroic (1000g or more). The means an incredibly hardened payload.
Orionblamblam said:TomS said:The launch acceleration for a railgun would be heroic (1000g or more). The means an incredibly hardened payload.
Cannon-launched laser and GPS guided munitions often get to 20,000 G's, if memory serves. If your goal is to whack a satellite... if you have a cannon that can actually reach up that far, then the payload designers will give you a guided kill vehicle.