From: [email removed] (Stephen D Smith)
Organization: personal mailbox at The Next Challenge
Here's more from Scott:
Stephen D Smith USENET: [email removed]
BIX: sdsmith
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I have no access to e-mail so you will not be able to
reach me very easily and there will be long gaps between
my having access to any comments to any designs or ideas
you might have but I would appreciate it
Scott Kellogg [phone removed]
[address removed]
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Indianapolis TL11 Orbital Interceptor
CraftID: VTOL Orbital Interceptor, TL11, MCr14.31
Hull: (60/150) Disp=66 (22 with wings folded) Unload=14.78 (Weight
w/standard load HE=17.95, nuclear=19.15),
Airframe=Hypersonic VTOL
Power: 1.024275 Mw (drawn from engines), Dur=48hr
Loco: (4/10), Fusion Rocket, Thrust 198.9 tons, NOE=150,
Cruise=3750kph, Top=5000kph, Accel Unload=13.5G, (W/std HE
load=11G, nuclear=10.4G) Agility=6
Commo: Radio=System, Maser=System
Sensors: A-WeatherRADAR=FarOrb, P-EMS=Interstel ActObjScn=Rout,
ActObjPin=Rout, PasEnScn=Rout,
Off: Fusilage HPoint,
Fusilage Launch Rails*4, Missile=x06
Inboard HPoints*4, Batt Rnds=2
Outboard HPoints*4,
Wing Tip Launch Rails*2,
(Standard load=60 Anti-Ship Missiles)
Def: DefDM+13
Control: Powered, 2 Manuver Points, Computer=5
Accom: Crew=1, Basic life supp, sealed cockpit w/vac suit backup,
Inertial comp, Complex cockpit w/rocket escape pod
Other: Fuel=.24Kl, ObjSize=Small, EMLevel=Faint
Robert Dean (who's designs are first rate by the way!)
criticized
the above saying it had insufficient protection in the way of armor.
Well, I must point out that it is not intended for long durations
outside the hull of it's mother ship. The flight controls are not
linked with the computer (servoes w/gymbaled thrust of fusion rocket
for outside atmosphere) so computer damage would only affect
targetting
systems. (Be reminded that while Pioneer 10, 11, and Voyager 1 and 2
have been out for years only one computer, (Voyager 2's) has been
damaged. Also, Challenge 45 includes rules for micrometeoroid damage
P.37, 1/6 chance for a strike of penetration 8*1d6. This is patently
stupid. Consider the LDEF Long Duration Exposure Facility, 2 meteor
strikes in 2+ years! In Earth's junk filled orbit no less!
Admittedly, this doesn't cover possible radiation damage. But
on the other hand I've heard and seen things about cosmic radiation
that tell me that any armor is going to be useless. (Cosmic radiation
detected in a covered system's optics in total darkness.)
Supposedly, NASA considers the secondary radiation generated by
cosmic rays hitting an armored hull to be more deadly than the cosmic
radiation itself. An interview I saw recommended having 2 habitats
one
armored and the other unarmored. The armored section was supposed to
have a slightly dangerous radiation level inside it due to secondary
radiation. It would be used when lower level radiation 'storms'
passed
over the ship.
If you like, you could use this to defend against the fighters:
Hide the opposing fleet close to an asteroid belt or near a gas giants
rings. But those hazards will affect those hiding too. Even armor
won't stop an asteroid with orbital velocity, and ring systems are
quite well defined.
Scott Kellogg
Gunned Barge TL11 "Wolfchen" Class
CraftID: Gunned Barge Type WG, TL11, MCr112.34
Hull: (45/113) Disp=50, Config=1AF, Armor=40E, Unload=796.82,
Load=831.65
Power: (6/12) 990.06 Mw Fusion, Dur=5/15
Loco: (4/8), Manuver=3G, Agility=0 NOE=150, Cruise=2138kph,
Top=2850kph
Commo: Radio=System, Maser=System
Sensors: EMM, A-EMS=FarOrb, P-EMS=Interstel, EMS-Jam=FarOrb
ActObjScn=Rout, ActObjPin=Rout, PasEnScn=Rout
Off: HPoints=1
PLaser=x01 Missile=x01 SCaster=x03
Batt 1 1 1
Bear 1 1 1
Def: DefDM=+7
Control: Computer=5*3, HUD*2, DynLink*2
Accom: Crew=2, Seat=Roomy*2, Adequate*7, Env=Basic Env, Basic is,
Inertial Comp, Grav Plate,
Other: Cargo=4, Fuel=194.5, Scoops=2hr, Fuel Cargo=339.7,
ObjSize=Avg, EMlevel=None
Remarks: The Wolfchen requires 11 runs for fuel to top the Wolf's
tanks.
Scott Kellogg
Recently Robert Dean (who's designs I very much admire and appreciate)
sent in one not quite up to his normal standards. Repeated below.
40 ton Spaceplane TL8
CraftID: 40 ton Spaceplane, TL8, MCr10.54
Hull: 36/90, Disp=40, Config=1AF, Armor=40C, Unloaded=341.7t,
Loaded=500t
Power: 10MW from turbofan engines
Loco: 1/2, High Bypass turbofan=500ton, Duration=3hr, 1/2, High
Performance Rocket=585t, Duration=5min
Comm: Radio=Dist*3
Sensors: None
Off: Hardpoint=1
Control: Computer Mod1*3, ElecLink*170
Accom: Crew=2 (Pilot, Copilot), Passenger=6, Seat=8*Room,
Env=basic env, basic ls
Other: AviationFuel=115.2kl, RocketFuel=30kl, CargoBay=290kl
(32.4ton load limit at full fuel load), ObjSize=Avg,
EmLevel=Mod
This vehicle is capable of taking off from a size A planet with
a standard atmosphere. For more advantageous conditions, fuel weight
can be traded for cargo weight. Optimum takeoff weight of the vehicle
is 500 tons. Modular attachment fittings are provided.
Think about it. This thing weighs roughly two times as much as
a B-52 long range strategic bomber, and has an airframe smaller than
an F-4 Phantom II. I am reminded of what they used to say about the
old B-26 Marauder: 'The Flying Prostitute' She has no visible means
of support. Never get it off the ground. Even the Space Shuttle
Orbiter only weighs 84.8 metric tons loaded. In COACC an aircraft may
lift 35% of it's clean weight in cargo.
If you want something to fly it comes out that the aircraft
displacement volume is 3.3 (displacement tons) per metric ton. And
that is a heavily loaded aircraft. An aircraft weighing 500metric
tons, would displace at least 1600 displacement tons.
I have checked out the displacement volume equations (against a
few jet aircraft) The displacement figure calculated in COACC roughly
approximates a box capable of enclosing the aircraft with wings
unfolded. Obviously, an aircraft's hull is going to be smaller than
this amount.
If you want to design an space plane use COACC and build an
orbital hanger to store it in for protection.
Otherwise you will end up digging your nose right in the dirt.
The above design probably has a stall speed somewhere around MACH 1 if
that. I wouldn't care to try to land it. It would have the glide
angle of a crowbar.
I include a possible substitute for use with the rest of his TL
8 space craft. See the Orion TL8 Space Plane.
Scott Kellogg
*****End Part 15*****.
From: Stephen D Smith
Well that's the end of Scott's postings. Hope it was of interest
to the rest of the TML. Scott's probably busy doing something else,
but I probably won't seen for the next few weeks. Thanks for the
patients.
- - --Name = STEPHEN SMITH Mailbox # = 68