Larry_Phischman t1_j6hlktj wrote on January 30, 2023 at 11:32 AM

The US government has a pulse detonation jet engine technology which would be useful for SSTO applications. They’ve kept it secret.

Creepy_Toe2680 OP t1_j6hmcpq wrote on January 30, 2023 at 11:41 AM

The horizontal line at a specific impulse of 400,000 seconds represents the minimum value needed for interstellar flyby missions at 0.1c for concepts utilizing on-board propellants.

i hope we can reach it soon.

iheartbbq t1_j6i6sie wrote on January 30, 2023 at 2:47 PM

Pulsejets require an atmosphere to operate. By definition they can't reach orbit with a single stage. There's no kind of conspiracy to hold back technology to prevent cheaper cost per kilogram to space or reusability.

Aerospike rockets are a FAR more practical SSTO technology (and pretty reusable, btw). Just never got serious funding because of the intense costs up front.

[deleted] t1_j6hyp2u wrote on January 30, 2023 at 1:44 PM

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