On Tue, Jun 08, 2004 at 06:31:55PM -0700, David Weinshenker wrote:
> I suppose that with sufficient throttling capability, it might be possible
> to start each engine at reduced thrust, such that the total thrust stayed
> below the vehicle's liftoff weight - then when they're all running at partial
> power, bring them up to full thrust together.
>
> -dave w
That's exactly what was planned for the Alpha and Bravo class vehicles
back when I first designed them in the late '80s. Bring the engines
online at reduced thrust until you had reliable "bouyancy" - i.e.
total thrust to 50% vehicle mass - and then throttle up from there.
That part of the launch sequence goes:
- Get clearance for departure from local tower
- Captain give "Egines to idle" command
- Bring engine thrust up to 50% of mass
- Get arrival clearence from destination tower if SubOrbital
- Captain gives "Up Ship!" command
- "Boosting!" from Propulsion Engineer as you throttle up
- Ship lifts from pad and leaps skyward
Ok ... it's a little dramatic, but I think visually and that's the way
I've always seen it.
Michael
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Michael Wallis KF6SPF (408) 396-9037 [EMAIL PROTECTED]
"And I keep praying that this faith we hold in common keeps showing up
in the good things we do, and that people recognize Christ in all of
it." Philemon 1:6
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