Re: Re: Multiple engines (was RE: Liquox)

  Reminds me of that 1951 story by AC Clarke called Superiority.

  "...The Better is often the enemy of the Good_and the Best can be the
enemy
  of both, as it is always too late..."

  JD

  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: "Michael Wallis" <[email protected]>
  To: <[email protected]>
  Sent: Tuesday, June 08, 2004 7:44 PM
  Subject: Re: [ERPS] Re: Multiple engines (was RE: Liquox)


  > On Tue, Jun 08, 2004 at 10:29:35AM -0700, Pierce Nichols wrote:
  >
  > > I suspect that the small variations in thrust characteristics of the
  > > four engines will require some constant deflection of the jet vanes.
  > > This will in turn increase the power requirements and increase the
  > > steering losses, not to mention wear on the jet vanes themselves. I
  > > think it would be more efficient to go to 1-axis gimballing on each
  > > engine; it's easy enough with a single room-temp propellant.
  >
  > The big DISadvantage to gimballing is the technology required to make
  > it work reliably. Given the purpose and time deadline, I suspect that
  > jumping into a new development cycle at this stage is far more of a
  > problem than getting the existing and working technology fine tuned.
  > There's an old addage that says:
  >
  > The better is the enemy of the good.
  >
  > If John feels he has a working system that will get him to his goal
  > with a bit more tweaking, I suspect that's where he'll put his effort
  > and resources.
  >
  >     Michael
  >
  > ----------------------------------------------------------------------
  > Michael Wallis   KF6SPF       (408) 396-9037        [email protected]
  >
  > "And I keep praying that this faith we hold in common keeps showing up
  >  in the good things we do, and that people recognize Christ in all of
  >  it."           Philemon 1:6
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