Air Collection and Enrichment System (ACES) for advanced 2nd generation RLVs

Abstract

Human exploration and commercial exploitation of space is bogged down because of the lack of safe, low cost, access to LEO. Opening the Final Frontier requires a launch system with a new breakthrough propulsion system that is capable of airplane-like safety and reliability while operating for hundreds of hours with little or no maintenance. That was the premise of the Space Shuttle Program circa 1975, but rocket science of that era was not up to the task. Is rocket science of the new third millennium up to the task? We think so and show how an old technology, Air Collection and Enrichment, combined with new materials and other subsystem technologies can provide the required breakthrough propulsion system to open up the Future Commercial Markets. Nomenclature ACES Air Collection and Enrichment System ACE-TR Air Core Enhanced Turbine Ramjet ATS Access to Space (Study) ELV Expendable Launch Vehicle GEO Geosynchronous Earth Orbit GTO Geosynchronous Transfer Orbit HTML Horizontal Takeoff and Horizontal Landing Isp Specific Impulse (Ibf/lbm/sec) ISS International Space Station LEO Low Earth Orbit LOX Liquid Oxygen MEO Medium Earth Orbit O2 Oxygen OMS Orbital Maneuvering System RBCC Rocket-Based Combined Cycle RCS Reaction Control System RLV Reusable Launch Vehicle SSTO Single-Stage-to-Orbit TBCC Turbine-Based Combined Cycle TOGW Takeoff Gross Weight (Horizontal TO) TSTO Two-Stage-to-Orbit WPAFB Wright Patterson Air Force Base