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Water injection pre-compressor cooling assist space access

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  27 January 2016

U. Mehta ,
J. Bowles ,
J. Melton ,
L. Huynh  and
P. Hagseth
J. Bowles
Affiliation:
NASA Ames Research Center, Moffett Field, California, USA
J. Melton
Affiliation:
NASA Ames Research Center, Moffett Field, California, USA
L. Huynh
Affiliation:
Science and Technology Corporation, Moffett Field, California, USA
P. Hagseth
Affiliation:
Lockheed Martin Company, Fort Worth, Texas, USA
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Abstract

Advances in space activity are linked to reductions in launch cost. Air-breathing propulsion-assisted flight systems offer the potential for revolutionary change of the space operations paradigm. Horizontal launch of a space-access system provides mission flexibility, responsiveness, and affordability. One way to reduce launch cost is to increase the Mach number at which a launch vehicle is staged from a carrier aircraft. Without exceeding the engine and airframe design limits, the pre-compressor cooling technology allows an operational aircraft to operate at Mach numbers and altitudes beyond its basic operational limits. This is an essential, near-term technology for reducing launch cost to place small-weight payloads in low Earth orbit. The advantage of this technology is assessed with a modified McDonnell Douglas QF-4C aircraft. Payloads are unachievable or marginal with an unmodified QF-4C. However, payloads weighing around 150 pounds are plausible with this aircraft when incorporating the water injection pre-compressor cooling (WIPCC) technology.

Type
Research Article
Information
The Aeronautical Journal , Volume 119 , Issue 1212 , February 2015 , pp. 145 - 171
Copyright
Copyright © Royal Aeronautical Society 2015

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