Comments on Universal Transport Systems: Ribbon Propellant Engine Injector Power

Another note: Just for those that want to run the...

2009-05-21T14:17:30.242-05:00

Another note: Just for those that want to run the numbers, here are some (approximate) turbopump mass numbers:

Redstone rocket: 4 kW/kg
Saturn F1 engine: 16 kW/kg
Space shuttle: 160 kW/kg

Those are workable options - and if the going gets...

2009-04-29T17:03:00.000-05:00

Those are workable options - and if the going gets too tough, something like that would be a good fallback position.

The main reasons we prefer ribbon are operational simplicity and safety.

I quite like this concept in general - primarily d...

2009-04-29T16:57:00.000-05:00

I quite like this concept in general - primarily due to the dry mass and dry cost benefits. However I do not understand why one would want to trail the solid rocket fuel as a ribbon. I would expect problems with drag, ribbon dynamics, rocket exhaust impingement on the ribbon, and added "pumping" energy required to pull the ribbon "up" from beneath the rocket.

Alternatively one might coil the ribbon in a slightly stuck together "cheese" on top of the motor - unwinding it from the top perhaps via a hole up the center. Or use many little propellant balls loosely held on top of the motor in a very light weight net. Perhaps with a semi automatic gun type pumping system.

Pete