Re:Launch HN: Radical (YC W23) – Autonomous high-altitude so...
by zeusk on Monday October 16, 2023 @01:47PM
(#37903496)
Could be catapult launched?
[ Parent
| on HN ]
Re:Launch HN: Radical (YC W23) – Autonomous high-altitude so...
by moralestapia on Monday October 16, 2023 @02:03PM
(#37903702)
I don't think one could just "throw" something 70k feet up in the air.
Re:Launch HN: Radical (YC W23) – Autonomous high-altitude so...
by frontiersummit on Monday October 16, 2023 @02:09PM
(#37903775)
Climbing to altitude is the straightforward part. The transition from zero knots to the stall speed of the aircraft (minimum speed at which it can remain airborne) is the tricky bit. Designing for a lower stall speed necessitates wings which produce higher drag (by being larger) which requires more propulsion, which means bigger batteries and motors. So launching from a catapult or rocket or mothership or whatever means a lighter plane.
Re:Launch HN: Radical (YC W23) – Autonomous high-altitude so...
by yellow_lead on Monday October 16, 2023 @03:10PM
(#37904704)
Launch on a hydrogen balloon
Re:Launch HN: Radical (YC W23) – Autonomous high-altitude so...
by hermitcrab on Monday October 16, 2023 @03:12PM
(#37904729)
Launching by rocket means the plane would have to be pretty rugged to survive it. And that means more weight. You also have the issue of deployment. Folding wings means more weight and more things to go wrong.
Re:Launch HN: Radical (YC W23) – Autonomous high-altitude so...
by zeusk on Monday October 16, 2023 @02:28PM
(#37904022)
Spinlaunch would disgree but here the trouble is getting off the ground; Take-off is the most demanding phase of flight in terms of propulsion demand.
Re:Launch HN: Radical (YC W23) – Autonomous high-altitude so...
by bagels on Monday October 16, 2023 @05:51PM
(#37907172)
Spinlaunch would crush any aircraft that is light enough to stay aloft indefinitely.
Re:Launch HN: Radical (YC W23) – Autonomous high-altitude so...
by H8crilA on Monday October 16, 2023 @02:02PM
(#37903684)
Lee waves? Thermals? Cumulonimbus thermals? :)
Re:Launch HN: Radical (YC W23) – Autonomous high-altitude so...
by JKCalhoun on Tuesday October 17, 2023 @12:11AM
(#37910515)
Or balloon launched, parachute landing.
Re:Launch HN: Radical (YC W23) – Autonomous high-altitude so...
by rjmunro on Tuesday October 17, 2023 @08:47AM
(#37914098)
Other options that might work:
* Launch from the roof of a vehicle
* With a glider winch
* Towed by another aircraft
* Auxiliary engine / batteries that can be jettisoned & parachuted down