Next flight contest

May I suggest that the next goal be MACH 12 at 100km up. I think that some of the suggestions reach too far and a more modest step is required. See TUI Engineering , to find out why I suggest this speed and height.

TUI has proposed a space tether system that in one variation can pick up a payload (up to 30,000lbs) from a 100km altitude and mach 12, and fling it into LEO. This works both ways of course and can de-orbit as well. They have produced some engineering studies www.tethers.com/papers/HASTOLAIAAPaper.pdf and www.tethers.com/papers/JPC00HASTOL.pdf. These make forsome very interisting reading, and represent what I think is the cheapest method to orbit. De-orbit would return momentum to the tether system so re-boost could be minimal.

To increase suborbital velocity by a little bit more than three times may be a good next step on the way into the real next goal orbit.

Under the aspect of the WTN XPRIZE being a technology prize it would be interesting what technology you propose a competition for.



Dipl.-Volkswirt (bdvb) Augustin (Political Economist)