The new space programs require trusted low-cost, easily operated launching systems like space planes. The term space plane means a space shuttle that can operate from regular runways. Hypersonic technology can open the road to that kind of space systems. This type of shuttle can operate in the atmosphere and orbitals. These are key elements for building large-scale space projects. They can also revolutionize warfare and transportation. Without those space planes, things like nuclear rockets will be unable, or very hard to produce. The miniature nuclear reactor allows a nuclear-powered space plane to operate in interplanetary space. And that opens the road to the entire solar system.
There is a possibility to replace the combustion in the ramjet and scramjet engines using electric arcs or some other system that heats the air. The main problem with those electromagnetic ramjet engines is that they need electricity from somewhere that they can heat and expand the air that they pull in the engine. The system can use electric arcs, microwaves, or lasers to pull gas in the engine.
And one of the systems that can create the wanted electricity is the small nuclear reactor. That kind of system tested in the Ling-Temco-Vought was the company whose mission was to create the Supersonic Low altitude missile SLAM. The main thing was that the SLAM or “Project Pluto” used nuclear reactors for heating air. The main system used was the nuclear-powered ramjet system that breathed air from the atmosphere. And then the nuclear reactor warmed that air. That air cooled the reactor’s shell and denied its overheating.
Virtually that system can have unlimited range and operational time. The problem was the radioactive fallout. The SLAM could be more capable if it could have an isolated reactor system that could give electricity to the electric ramjet systems. In those systems electromagnetic systems create heat that expands the air. Suppose SLAM would have an internal propellant tank that could also operate in the orbital trajectory. When air turns too thin the system starts to use internal propellant. Maybe that kind of nuclear-powered shuttle will be a reality someday.
Above: SLAM (Project Pluto)
The air-breathing rockets are the new things. In the atmosphere, the system can use the compressor that is at the side of the engine. When the system uses atmospheric rocket mode that system can inject from the side of the engine. When the system goes out from the atmosphere it transfers to use internal oxygen. That kind of system can also be connected to ramjet engines. At slow speed, the system uses the iris that closes the air intake. That aircraft runs into the air using rockets. When the system’s speed is about Mach 1 the iris will open and then the ramjet ignites. When the system is at the edge of space, it closes the air intake and transfers to use internal oxygen.
Normally those hypersonic systems use the ramjet or scramjet as engine solutions. The hypersonic missiles path the way to new hypersonic systems and space planes. If those systems can breathe oxygen from the atmosphere that decreases the need for internal oxygen. And it increases the payload.
Hypersonic technology stuns the world. Hypersonic missiles and cruise missiles are turning new types of systems into reality. If the aircraft can fly at hypersonic speed by using air-breathing engines in the atmosphere and it has a capacity switch into rocket engines that system can fly in both orbital and atmosphere. The hypersonic aircraft can also have stealth capacity because stealth planes' soft curves are aerodynamically good things. Some of those hypersonic systems can have small tracks on their layers. Those tracks' mission is to drive air in the desired direction. The thing is that the new types of plasma systems can also decrease friction.
Basically, lasers are tools that can be used to ionize gas at the front of the wings and engines. Another way is to use some other types of electromagnetic radiation like a maser technology. That radiation shoots electrons away from the atom's orbital and turns those atoms into ions.
The idea is that there is a system that ionizes air around the aircraft. Then the electric system can simply push those ions away from the aircraft’s body. That decreases friction. And the same systems can also turn the aircraft invisible to radars. The ion system can also pull air into the engine where electromagnetic systems can heat it. Ion technology allows the use of more radical and effective systems than traditional ramjets and scramjets.
The accelerator systems can be based on the Gauss track. The electromagnetic acceleration system accelerates ions over and below the wing. That thing causes the airflow that increases buoyancy. There is also a possibility that the magnet pushes air away from the front of the aircraft, And that creates low pressure that pulls it forward. This thing can be the new step for quiet hypersonic systems.
https://www.hermeus.com/
https://www.sipri.org/commentary/topical-backgrounder/2022/matter-speed-understanding-hypersonic-missile-systems
https://www.sustainability-times.com/energy/china-in-shock-new-hypersonic-aircraft-with-mach-5-speeds-triggers-massive-global-reaction-after-us-engine-breakthrough/
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Project_Pluto
