all from MIT, presented an interesting paper on the feasibility of a single-stage magnetic reaction engine. The device is basically a repetitively fired induction engine that fires bursts of metallic beads. Most metals will work, but aluminum is considered the best fuel. The device is capable of an acceleration of 19 million g (for the fuel pellets). Henry Kolm reviewed the rather compelling case for electromagnetic launchers. Chief among the arguments is the fact that large quantities of fuel and oxidizer do not need to be lifted initially with the payload. This reduces the total energy requirements since 62% of all rocket energy goes into the first stage. Also, electromagnetic launchers would appear to be environmentally cleaner, although it is not clear that the total fuel electricity generation cycle has been considered here. Dani Elder described a combination compressed gas gun/rocket launcher in which the first stage is a 15 km long barrel mounted on a mountain side at an elevation angle of 10° to 15°. The muzzier velocity of this compressed gas (probably H2) gun would be about 3 km/sec. The second stage would be a conventional rocket fired during the coast from the gun. Launch costs from such a device were estimated at $19/kg. In the afternoon, political scientists John Logsdon and Charles Cahfer reviewed the Washington scene and painted a bleak picture of the near future for support for pro-space legislation. On the other hand, Robert D. McWilliams presented the results of the latest surveys which indicated public support for space is growing. This was supported by statements from Kerry Joels that the National Air and Space Museum is the most visited museum in the world, having attracted 43 million in five years. He estimates that nearly one in every ten Americans has visited the museum. Ben R. Finney of the University of Hawaii discussed the settling of the islands in the Pacific Ocean. He drew parallels to the colonization of space. This was a most impressive paper, illustrated by island scenes and ancient sail craft. His conclusion was that man's courage and spirit of adventure are dominant forces leading to exploration. The Tuesday evening session on Novel Concepts was led off by a paper by Gordon Woodcock presented by Ray Sperber. The paper discussed directions for the future. In particular, emphasis is expected on communications satellite, zero g processing and earth observations. The communication satellite business is presently experiencing a 25% per year growth rate and will probably grow even faster with video teleconferencing. Woodcock's paper recommended the following steps: [1] Commercialization of the Space Shuttle as soon as possible; [2] Development of a manned LEO base similar to the proposed space operations center; [3] Provide for an orbit transfer vehicle for the movement of cargo between LEO and GEO; |4] At the appropriate time, development of a manned base at GEO; [5] Conduct research on lunar resource utilization including (a) systems studies on the optimum use of lunar resources, (b) further mass driver studies, (c) lunar process development. In another paper in the same session, Gary Hudson revealed for the first time publicly some of the details of the Percheron Project, a privately financed launch vehicle system. The first Percheron vehicle will be capable of up to 1000 pounds into LEO with a fully recoverable payload capsule. The vehicle is expendable from the payload on down. Ultimately, they hope to be able to put 28 tons in the LEO at a cost of $20 per pound. At the time of this paper several successful static test firings had
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