Teng Yun -- China (CASIC) TSTO Space Shuttle project

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Hi there

It seems China is still studying a TSTO HTHL shuttle project under strong leadership.

A succinct roadmap was recently published here:

http://www.chinaspaceflight.com/satellite/CASIC-TENGYUN/TENGYUN.html

from where the following information is extracted verbatim:

2016/09/13 航天科工腾云工程空天飞行器
2016年完成两级入轨空天飞行器多方案对比论证;
2018年模态转换飞行试验发动机地面试验;
2020年完成组合发动机模态转换技术验证飞行试验;
2025年完成关键技术攻关;
2030年完成两级入轨空天飞行器技术验证试飞。


Initial disclosure was echoed here:
https://twitter.com/cnspaceflight/status/775731831693946880

This is worth reading.
The first batch of studies has already begun.
To some extent is a 863-02 project revisited. With targeted, projected flight year set in 2030. Hurry up.

A.
 

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Hi,

Digging up more info. This program is pretty in line with an CCTV+ ITW published on July 312, 2016. "China Develops Combined Cycle Power Plant for Spacecraft"

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hrSneRkbdNs


Full Text here Published on Jul 31, 2016:

"China is developing combined cycle power plant for spacecraft to make it possible for ordinary people to travel to space.

The new power system, which makes use of different engines in different stages of flight, will lower the initial speed of the spacecraft and thus reduce the physical burden on the body of the astronaut.

Researchers at the China Academy of Launch Vehicle Technology, the institution that launched the project with several other Chinese academies early this month, says the new power system will reduce the cost for space travel, making it easier for ordinary people to experience spaceflight.

"Compared with the traditional rocket power system, the combined cycle power plant is a new type of power that works in tandem with different engines. Based on the ramjet engine, the combined cycle power plant will use the oxygen in the air to form the oxidizer it needs in the flight. That is the core of its work," said Zhang Yong, a researcher at the academy.

Zhang said the researchers will spend a few years mastering the key technologies and estimated that the new power system could be applied to spaceflight in 2030.

"As is planned in our long-term development program, we will master the key technologies of combined cycle power plant in three to five years. Then we will work to optimize the forms of power and the performance of the aircraft, getting ready for the final application. We will apply the technologies to suborbital flight and orbital space flight around the year 2030," said Zhang. More on: http://www.cctvplus.com/news/20160731... "

A.
 
Hi.

The Teng Yun program sheds new lights on these well known, decade old, layouts and legacy video image (see attachment).

A.
 

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Combined Cycle Propulsion System?Challenge and Prospects
Paper number IAC-13,C4,9,1,x18447
Author Mr. Zhang Chengzhi, China Academy of Launch Vehicle Technology, China
Coauthor Mrs. Kun Dai, China Academy of Launch Vehicle Technology, China
Coauthor Mrs. Shu Zhang, China Academy of Launch Vehicle Technology, China
Coauthor Mr. Gao Xiaoming, China Academy of Launch Vehicle Technology, China
Year 2013
Abstract Various propulsion systems have different advantages and flight airspace, such as aero engine, ramjet, rocket motor and piston engine. Combined cycle propulsion system will be the best combination of efficiency and economy, because it can absorb these advantages.

Some problems and critical technologies which needs to be considered and settled are pointed out.Combined cycle propulsion applications to reusable TSTO space transportation,nearby space or space plane,and SSTO vehicle are discussed.Then the research status of combined cycle propulsion system in China are presented. Experience, lessons and difficulties during the development of RBCC propulsion system are analyzed. It shows that the pylon with cavity improves the combustion stabilization,and it provides robust combustion efficiency and wide operability liquid hydrocarbon.

TBCC is expected to be the most possible power choice for first stage of the two-stage-to-orbit vehicle and would have a bright future for high speed airplane and cruise missile. RBCC would mostly be used as power system of high-velocity aircraft in near space altitude. ATR is expected to be used as first power of orbital vehicle.

Based on study of the principle and critical technology, suggestion about combined cycle propulsion development is put forward.

source: https://iafastro.directory/iac/archive/browse/IAC-13/C4/9/18447/



Patent Analysis and Development Study on Airframe and Engine Integration Technology of the Aerospace Plane
Paper number IAC-14,C4,P,1,x22851
Author Dr. Ping Li, China Aerospace Science and Industry Corporation, China
Coauthor Mr. Shuhui Ma, China Aerospace Science and Industry Corporation, China
Coauthor Ms. Ziyan Zhou, China
Year 2014
Abstract The aerospace plane with the characteristics of using oxygen in the atmosphere to reduce the take-off weight, reusable, horizontal takeoff and landing, which can reduce transportation costs between atmosphere and exoatmosphere, and therefore became the focus of the development of aerospace technology in the 21st century. Currently, the United States, Russia, Britain, Germany, Japan and other military powers are all developing the aerospace plane flying techniques. One of the key technologies which restrict the development of the aerospace plane is the aircraft airframe and aspirated engine integration technology, which is the geometry of inlet and exhaust nozzle can update with changes in the flight speed, especially for a reusable aerospace vehicle.
Through technology decomposition, patents and non-patent literature search, data processing, data indexing and important patents screening of the aerospace airframe and aspirated engine integration technology, this paper studied the technology roadmap, in-depth analyzed the technology efficacy of key problems such as the vehicle inner and outer flow integration design technology, complex shape aerodynamic heat prediction and pneumatic thermal elastic and load calculation, selected important patent to solve various technical problems, predicted the future trends and research priorities of the Lockheed Martin, Boeing and other important patent applicants in technology.

source: https://iafastro.directory/iac/archive/browse/IAC-14/C4/P/22851/
 
There a not many different paths to chemical RLVs. The rocket equation plus Earth density, size and gravity pull all determine a certain delta-v to get into a stable orbit... which is truly a giant PITA.

Chemical propulsion related to propellant mass fraction: 0.80 only brings 6000 to 7000 m/s when an ascent to orbit takes 9400 m/s, hence a mass fraction of 0.88 with LH2 and 0.93+ for everything else.

Bottom line: we are leaving on a planetary rocky body that is just a touch too big for chemical rockets. Venus size planetary body would help (-400 m/s compared to Earth) - but the real deal would be Moon or Mars sizes. With escape velocities of 2700 and 5300 m/s only (and orbital velocities: 2400 and 4200 m/s only. Now THAT numbers chemical rockets can handle !)

There are only five major ways to fully reusable RLVs:
- all rocket SSTO (think Venture Star)
- scramjet airbreathing SSTO (think Orient Express)
- air collection airbreathing SSTO (think HOTOL / Skylon)
- all rocket TSTO (think BFR-Starship)
- airbreathing 1st stage TSTO (think Saenger II)

Everything else is either expendable tricks (drop tanks & boosters: Shuttle) or exotic (ground-launch / air-launch assist, nuclear propulsion - from NERVA to Orion - tethers, laser / microwave propulsion)

See attached document, an excellent read. There are chemical RLVs - SSTOs and TSTOs. And then there is everything else.
 

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I still get a kick out of the fact that a guy named *Frisbee* did a lecture on Advanced and Unconventional Earth-To-Orbit Transportation Concepts - paging aluminum saucer Balloon Boy...
 
Space Liner is an all rocket TSTO with both stages being VTOHL.
Some billionaire needs to show it some love.

That design might be what China finally goes with.
why? Just to waste more money than Bezos and have less to show for it?
As long as they don't waste taxpayer money why not? it'll set a precedent and might even be useful
 
Space Liner is an all rocket TSTO with both stages being VTOHL.
Some billionaire needs to show it some love.

That design might be what China finally goes with.
why? Just to waste more money than Bezos and have less to show for it?
As long as they don't waste taxpayer money why not? it'll set a precedent and might even be useful
you understand the part "and have less to show for it?"
 
Space Liner is an all rocket TSTO with both stages being VTOHL.
Some billionaire needs to show it some love.

That design might be what China finally goes with.
why? Just to waste more money than Bezos and have less to show for it?
As long as they don't waste taxpayer money why not? it'll set a precedent and might even be useful
you understand the part "and have less to show for it?"
Except we don't actually know that, it might be worth trying by someone with too much money and time, and who knows? it might even work
 
Except we don't actually know that, it might be worth trying by someone with too much money and time, and who knows? it might even work
To work means it has reduce costs over existing systems and not just complete a mission.
True if the objective is to bring a viable solution to the market, I'm purely considering the research opportunity it brings.
 

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