AAWSAP DIRD, Space Access: Where We’ve Been and Where We Could Go, March 2010

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Meteoroid penetration or spalling of the thin refractory metal shingles may be a
problem during a 180-day stay on orbital storage as a rescue vehicle, and some
form of protection may be required.
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A readily refurbishable and repairable heat-protection system consisting of a water­
cooled inner body, insulation, and a radiation-cooled external surface is
recommended.
The goal was to build a test vehicle that initially would achieve at least mach 6.5 at
100,000 feet (30,480 meters) for at least 5 minutes test time. As scramjets became
available, that would be extended to higher mach numbers and altitudes. As part of
the spacecraft definition study, four fuels were considered: hydrogen, kerosene (JP-5),
methane, and propane. The propulsion systems considered were:
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Turbojet-ramjet/scramjet.
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Integrated turboramjet.
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Rocket-ramjet/scramjet.
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Carrier aircraft/vehicle with ramjet/scramjet spacecraft.
The closest study to respond to these findings was the NASA-sponsored HyFAC studies
executed by McDonnell Aircraft Company of the McDonnell Douglas Corporation. 34
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