Over 50 years ago an engine was designed that overcame the inherent design inefficiencies of bell-shaped rocket nozzles, but despite much research in the 60's, 70's and 90's and was to power the replacement for the Space Shuttle. But 50 years on and it still yet to be flight tested. So why aren't we using Aerospike rocket engines?
(10 votes)
Comments
(Old Spike)
SR-71 had round ones. The hypothetical SR-91 Aurora is rumored to have advanced straight ones that transition to a classified hypersonic engine tech.
(Old Spike)
a good explanation of why research needs to be publicly funded too.
(Old Spike)
trump just cut NASA funding, didn't he.....
(Old Spike)
You may not know this but the President does not create the budget, that is done by Congress.
The President may propose a budget. And to your claim of cuts, you are wrong. NASA's 2019 budget was increased.
https://www.space.com/39671-trump-nasa-budget-2019-funds-moon-over-iss.html
(Old Spike)
LOL, 1sqinch is actually 6,4516sqcm or 645,16sqmm