RAM-EP: ESA Air Breathing Ion Thruster (electrical ramjet)

Grey Havoc

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Somewhat related perhaps?


Ion engines don't scale up to the power levels you need for a launch. The JP Aerospace design seems to use normal rocket engines.

The JP concept is a high-altitude lighter-than-air vehicle. It uses buoyancy to reach an altitude where air resistance is minimal and then takes a long time slowly building up speed as it rises further. The head of the company described the engines as "the world's weakest rockets and the most inefficient ion engines."

I'm in no position to judge whether it would work of course.
 
Somewhat related perhaps?


Ion engines don't scale up to the power levels you need for a launch.
That looks to be changing with the Krypton powered H9 MUSCLE in yesterdays phys.org story "Plasma thrusters used on satellites could be much more powerful than previously believed." They jumped from 9-45 kilowatts. Now-even if this still cannot be used in an Airship TO Orbit...I could see two backspun-tethered HAVOK-LOFTID deals use this as an Airship FROM Orbit mission. Protective field inside, with krypton in an outer layer replaced with exhalations broken back down. Forget capsules. Voyager from trek lends itself to an airship...the Albatross even. Make surface area work for you.
 
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