🚀 go-pugleaf

In article <ewright.722117294@convex.convex.com> ewright@convex.com (Edward V. Wright) writes:

>The second goal is vastly more important than the first. If the flip
>manuever proves problematical, the next vehicle could be redesigned 
>to use a more conventional base-first reentry (like Apollo).

Agreed but with one minor nit. The flip maneuver allows DC to use existing
conventional bell nozzles. The GD design could enter base first but had
to have an aerospike nozzle to do it. Since aerospike nozzles have never
flown, that would add another risk to the propulsion system.

>Nothing that doesn't have "ecological disaster" in its title has
>the ability to fascinate Al Gore.  

Hmmm... this gives me an idea. Maybe the way to sell SSTO to Gore is
to emphasize the non-poluting fuel it uses. Deltas and Titans burn
nasty stuff which wold cause problems in large quantities.

>However, Milton Freidman used to tell a story about geese and politicians... 
>[story deleted]

>The critical test, I think, is public opinion.  If the American
>people get really excited about this, Clinton and Gore will quickly
>move into the "I said it was a good idea all along" camp.  

Exactly! And we need to let them do it and thank them for it.

>When a project goes from zero visibility to the network news, it makes
>all the difference in the world because most politicians (and most
>Americans) don't care about anything that doesn't make the network
>news.  (Let's just hope the launch happens on a slow news day.)

We need to do other things as well. There was an article on this in
a recent issue of Design News and the British newspaper The Guardian
is also working on an article.

  Allen

-- 
+---------------------------------------------------------------------------+
| Allen W. Sherzer | "A great man is one who does nothing but leaves        |
|  aws@iti.org     |  nothing undone"                                       |
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