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This paper presents a Mach 23 staged two stage-to-orbit launch vehicle candidate. Previously, two stage-to-orbit launch vehicles considered subsonic, supersonic and hypersonic staging options. Studies have shown that performance optimized two stage launch vehicles have first stage performance capabilities that vary widely depending on the propulsion and type of fuel used in the first and second stage. A Mach 23 performance capable first stage could fly around the world and return from the takeoff site using a boost-glide-skip trajectory profile. A Mach 23 staged first stage would be significantly less difficult to develop compared to a single stage-to-orbit launch vehicle. The usable propellant fraction for the Mach 23 rocket-based combined cycle engine powered first stage presented in this paper is 0.614 and the payload fraction is 0.033.

This paper presents an advanced single stage-to-orbit (SSTO) design concept based on our understanding of Russian AJAX technologies. The concept brings together a unique set of subsystem components to enhance the performance of an advanced combined cycle engine powered SSTO design concept. A magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) generator-accelerator energy bypass system is used to maintain subsonic flow in the engine combustion chamber. And, an electromagnetic drag reduction system is used to reduce wave and base drag during ascent and reentry. The performance of the advanced highly reusable SSTO is compared to a reference advanced air-breathing rocket-based combined cycle ejector ram-scramjet powered SSTO design concept. The results indicate an approximate 15% performance increase compared to the reference design.

This paper presents a Military Space Plane design concept. While the current military space plane activity is focused on rocket-powered concepts, the concept presented here is powered by a rocket-based combined cycle engine that uses both rocket and air-breathing engine cycles. The design concept is the reference SSTO design concept used in the NASA HRST ANSER study. The reference concept is a derivative of the NASA air-breathing Access to Space study SSTO design concept. The Access to Space air-breathing vehicle's combined cycle engine was replaced by the Aerojet rocket-based combined cycle engine. The orbital performance capability of the reference design concept is presented for 100 n mi., polar, and 225 n mi., 51 deg. orbits. The sensitivity of GTOW to payload and margin is also presented.