On 9/27/2017 1:41 AM, Richard Aiken wrote:
> On Wed, Sep 27, 2017 at 1:33 AM, Richard Aiken <xxxxxx@gmail.com> wrote:
>
>> I know that the force of gravity drops with distance from the center of
>> mass. If a 1-G streamlined ship aerodynamically flies up to maximum
>> altitude (e.g. as high as winged lift can take it), would the force of
>> gravity become low enough for it to boost into orbit from there?
>>
>>
>
> Google tells me that most military aircraft have service ceilings in excess
> of 50,000 feet.
> It also tells me that a mass of 150 pounds actually weighs ~149.92 pounds
> at 10,000 feet elevation.
> So . . . maybe the ship can just barely make it?
>
	An aircraft with much less that 1G of thrust can get to 50,000 feet. But the
problem isn't height, it's velocity. At lower altitudes the air resistance will
prevent the ship from getting enough velocity. At higher altitudes there may not
be enough air to provide more lift. Oxygen for the engines isn't a problem for a
space ship.

	I think the answer is yes, but for a different reason.
--
         Thomas Jones-Low
Work:	xxxxxx@softstart.com
Home:   xxxxxx@gmail.com