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The dream of single-stage orbit: why has it not yet been realized on Earth?
In recent years, space exploration technology has advanced by leaps and bounds, but the dream of a single-stage entry into orbit (SSTO) vehicle is still rarely realized. The main feature of this vehicle is that it can enter orbit from the earth's surface without discarding any major hardware, such as fuel tanks or engines. Despite the concept's promise of cost efficiency and reusability, why have we still not successfully developed such a vehicle on Earth?
Technical Challenges
For any SSTO vehicle, it must first overcome the challenge of Earth's gravity. With today's technology, the engine needs to provide extremely high thrust and complete the task of entering orbit at a speed of more than 7,400 meters per second. In addition, the presence of the Earth's atmosphere causes air resistance in the early stages of flight, which limits speed and engine performance."To achieve single-stage orbit entry on Earth, a number of major technical challenges must be overcome."
High-cost R&D process
Although some well-known SSTO concepts such as Skylon and DC-X show some technological potential, they are high-cost challenges from theory to practice. Experts point out that the design, development, research and engineering (DDR&E) costs of these reusable systems are much higher than those of disposable rocket systems, so the financial burden deters investors.Main related cases
Multi-stage rockets such as the giant NASA Space Launch System (SLS) and SpaceX's Falcon Heavy rocket have proven that traditional rocket technology can effectively transport payloads into space. Compared with SSTO, these multi-stage systems have obvious advantages in improving payload ratio and reducing launch costs."Many successful space missions have been completed by multi-stage rockets."
The potential of outer space
Examples of SSTO vehicles being implemented on other planets, such as the moon and Mars, also demonstrate its potential. In fact, the lunar landing module in the Apollo program has successfully achieved single-stage entry into orbit, which shows that the implementation of the SSTO concept will be more feasible in a lower gravity environment.Future Outlook
Despite the current technological challenges, some experts are actively exploring future opportunities for single-stage orbital entry. With the continuous advancement of materials technology and engineering technology, the audience can expect to see new coupling solutions in the future, which is expected to open up more possibilities for the realization of SSTO robots.Conclusion
The concept of a single stage entering orbit is eye-catching. Although it still faces various challenges, with the advancement of technology, this dream may one day become a reality. Do you think technological progress is enough to overcome these difficulties and make SSTO a reality?Trending Knowledge
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