Magnetohydrodynamic Energy Bypass Application for Single-Stage-to-Orbit Vehicles

The global political structure has changed dramatically since the breakup of the former Soviet Union. World changes have caused the U.S. to reprioritize its National hypersonic needs. The United States government has looked to the needs of the future, and the hypersonic aeorospace plane is one of the systems included in alternative force structures. One of the hypersonic aerospace plane concepts would involve magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) technology, or the AJAX hypersonic flight vehicle concept, originally proposed by Russian scientist Vladimir Fraishtadt. The objective of this proposal is to study an air-breathing horizontal take-off and landing design concept using an MHD energy bypass injector ramjet engine. MSE and Hypertech Concepts will be using MSE developed Electromagnetic code (MSEID Code) with new Scramjet model and other tools to examine the total system performance. Both cruiser and space launch propulsion configurations will be investigated. The MSE and Hypertech Concepts team will make sure this propulsion and operational concept for the hypersonic aerospace plane is based on operations consistent with existing NASA goals. The overall operational concept will also be examined to determine the overall cost effectiveness.