Human, you are showing your vast ignorance. Any object in orbit must travel at speeds in excess of 22,000 mph, a little faster than the balloon rider who parachuted from high altitude. A parafoil could not possibly withstand the heat and stress of re-entry at those speeds. Also, if you can come up with a way to use the wings to get into orbit above the atmosphere more efficiently than a direct-lift injection, I’m sure the laws of physics will be re-written to accommodate your plan.
A lot of the problem was the Air Force doubled the size from the original intended design for a “reusable” vehicle, meaning it needed wings, or even a parasail would do, means of landing in a serviceable condition for re-launch. Doubling size WAY more than doubles cost of vehicle, AND every launch!
It will be interesting to see how the Virgin (Advanced Composites/Rutan) design works out in practice. Balloon lifts to launch altitudes for inserting satellites is being looked at for “cost savings”.
The Rutan design uses a “flipper” wing to moderate speed coming in. Orbital velocity is around 17,500 mph, not 22,000, and escape velocity is around 25,000 mph. The X-15 entered space, and Virgin is using the same “mother ship” concept to cut costs. The web site showing a U-2 at that same “edge of space” with the Brit car guy is really COOL! It would be cool as well to continue the manned space program, but using cheaper means to accomplish it, NOT designs mandated by the military- where budgets are basically non-existent.
Do you know why the buildings imploded like they did? Because they followed the expert advice during the trial after the first boming saying “You would need a fully loaded 747 flying into the towers to take them down.” They crashed into the buildings, the jet fuel that was on fire poured down the central structure of the building, melting/softening the steel and support components, causing them to implode the building as the primary structural components failed.
Learn some blasted physics, and stop with your conspiracy theory ramblings.
Jaedabee Premium Member about 13 years ago
That’s quite some anthropomorphism on the shuttle there, cute!
beenthere41 about 13 years ago
Human, you are showing your vast ignorance. Any object in orbit must travel at speeds in excess of 22,000 mph, a little faster than the balloon rider who parachuted from high altitude. A parafoil could not possibly withstand the heat and stress of re-entry at those speeds. Also, if you can come up with a way to use the wings to get into orbit above the atmosphere more efficiently than a direct-lift injection, I’m sure the laws of physics will be re-written to accommodate your plan.
Motivemagus about 13 years ago
The Shuttle was a conglomeration of compromises. Even NASA people referred to it as “the flying brick.”
Dtroutma about 13 years ago
A lot of the problem was the Air Force doubled the size from the original intended design for a “reusable” vehicle, meaning it needed wings, or even a parasail would do, means of landing in a serviceable condition for re-launch. Doubling size WAY more than doubles cost of vehicle, AND every launch!
It will be interesting to see how the Virgin (Advanced Composites/Rutan) design works out in practice. Balloon lifts to launch altitudes for inserting satellites is being looked at for “cost savings”.
Jaedabee Premium Member about 13 years ago
Don’t the Virgin models just “skim” the edge of space?
Dtroutma about 13 years ago
The Rutan design uses a “flipper” wing to moderate speed coming in. Orbital velocity is around 17,500 mph, not 22,000, and escape velocity is around 25,000 mph. The X-15 entered space, and Virgin is using the same “mother ship” concept to cut costs. The web site showing a U-2 at that same “edge of space” with the Brit car guy is really COOL! It would be cool as well to continue the manned space program, but using cheaper means to accomplish it, NOT designs mandated by the military- where budgets are basically non-existent.
Motivemagus about 13 years ago
^James May. Love “Top Gear.”
Wraithkin about 13 years ago
Do you know why the buildings imploded like they did? Because they followed the expert advice during the trial after the first boming saying “You would need a fully loaded 747 flying into the towers to take them down.” They crashed into the buildings, the jet fuel that was on fire poured down the central structure of the building, melting/softening the steel and support components, causing them to implode the building as the primary structural components failed.
Learn some blasted physics, and stop with your conspiracy theory ramblings.