Three-stage launch system with scramjets

An air-breather-based, three-stage-to-orbit reusable launch system is propo sed. The first and the second reusable winged stages use turboramjet and sc ramjet engines, respectively. The rocket powered third stage is expendable. The present system is designed to insert an uncrewed 2-ton payload to 300- km circular orbit inclined at 52 deg, The mission abort cases are also exam ined. To enhance the operational effectiveness, the landing sites for the f irst and the second stages are chosen to be at the same location. The calcu lations are made for the cases where this system is used in Japan, in the U nited States, and in between India and Indonesia, It is shown that the pres ent three stage to orbit launch system can exploit the potential benefit of scramjet propulsion.