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Introducing the G42 SSTO “StarLiner”, or “Delta-Starliner G42”.

This is a ship capable of reliable, low-cost, ground-orbit shuttle missions, which is fully reusable and can be operated with reduced ground support, in comparison to previous shuttle design.

CONCEPT:

The G42 is powered by a combined set of Hybrid-TurboRockets and RAMCASTER engines, designed to cover each stage of acceleration onto orbital speed.

On the fisrt stage of flight, beggining with a runway takeoff, the TurboRocket engines are engaged at full power, breathing in external air (hence the name ’TurboRocket’’) from inlets above and below the wings for combustion with bio-fuel (algae oil). This method propells the craft up to Mach 2 and 20km of altitude.
At this point, the incoming air becomes too hot for the turbo-compressors to maintain efficiency, so they are shut down.

Stage two begins, a swift transition of internal scoops and gates, and the turbines are disconnected from ram air flow. The engine assumes RAMCASTER-LO configuration. Now the supersonic stream of air entering the lower inlets is allowed to flow directly through a Ram-Compressor, in which it is ignited using the same fuel source as before.
The G42 accelerates up to Mach 6.
And at this point, the airflow inside the compressor is becoming too hot as it compresses to subsonic speed before combustion.

Stage two-and-a-half – the Engines switch to RAMCASTER-HI configuration. A set of gates in the ram-compressor are closed, and the stream is allowed to flow supersonic through the compressor and combustor. This SCRamJet setup is suitable for flight up to mach 18.

Stage three. No air-breathing engine can take the abuse at this speed and still be viable to fit inside an aircraft – the RAMCASTER engines are closed and cut off. However, there’s still some acceleration due for achieving a stable orbit.
The Hybrid-TurboRockets make justice of their “Hybrid” designation – Now, without incoming air to feed the compressors, the G42’s internal oxidizer supply is connected, and the engines soar onto orbital velocity.

The G42 is capable of reaching LEO even at inclinations considerably lower than the launch site, due to it’s ability to reach alignment while accelerating in atmospheric flight. – allowing for flexible launch windows and giving KSC-to-Moon operations a “running start”, as G42’s could be commisioned to build and supply dedicated lunar transfer vessels in a coplanar orbit.

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Credits:

Concept and Project Founder:
Guilherme “Moach” Falanghe

Orbiter Creator:
Dr. Martin Scheiger

Special thanks to the fine sim-spacemen of the Orbiter-Forum community, specially those who pitched in their thoughts and opinions on this project.

Cheerz,

Moach