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From: al@vger.UUCP ( Informatix)
Newsgroups: net.space
Subject: Scramjets
Message-ID: <344@vger.UUCP>
Date: Wed, 19-Feb-86 15:38:32 EST
Article-I.D.: vger.344
Posted: Wed Feb 19 15:38:32 1986
Date-Received: Fri, 21-Feb-86 05:42:24 EST
Organization: UC Santa Cruz, CIS Dept.
Lines: 10

A while back there was a discussion of scramjets on the net.  Unfortunately,
I wasn't paying much attention at the time.  My impression of them is
that they use atmospheric oxygen to make major reductions in weight
for most of the launch phase.  Is this true?

2.  If the 'orient express' can get Washington -> Tokyo flights for
$5-6,000 then you can get to LEO for about the same amount.  How many
people do you know that would spend $10,000 for a week or weekend in
orbit?  If the tourist thing ever gets cheap enough there will be so
much space development it'll make our heads spin ...