Implications of the rocket equation without the math(blog.jatan.space)
blog.jatan.space
Implications of the rocket equation without the math
https://blog.jatan.space/p/the-moon-as-a-rocket-platform
4 comments
What about a non zero launch speed with some electrical ramp, railgun style?
The atmosphere at low altitude burns off tons of energy. I don't think we'll ever achieve ballistic launch from earth surface, but that's just my opinion :)
It's not the payload mass increase which leads to exponential increase of starting mass. It's the payload speed increase which requires exponential increase in starting mass.
If we can use our atmosphere as oxidizer, like planes do, we could get to orbit with far better mass fraction. And far less fuel. Closer to a normal plane than a tin can full of explosives.
Problems are heat related, at speeds and altitude needed regular jet engines would melt. There's ongoing research into precoolers to make the concept work with fairly normal engines.
The British are working on this, with Skylon and the Sabre engine. https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Skylon_(spacecraft)