V1 and V2 technology: why were these not synthesized for the space program?

They could use twenty air breathing aircraft engines and jettison them in sequence along with wing segments as fuel is burned through. Rockets carrying their own oxygen supply are really only needed as the atmosphere thins.

Anyone see any problems with such a methodology?

My suspicion is the preference for v2 style launches had more to do with military preference, for wanting every dollar spent to develop icbm technology than any consideration for what made sense for human space exploration. I mean if vertical take-off made sense then every jet would be like a harrier jump jet, but these vectored thrust aircraft are amazingly inefficient, and have little utility except for situations where a runway is unavailable.

Huh ? What does that mean ?


Same question as above.


You reckon ? How about showing your calculations ?

There is no going into orbit, it's a scam. NASA going nowhere and doing nothing.

The launching platform is on rails going downhill gaining velocity, the first stage craft is roughly plane-shaped and launches from the ramp with all its weight in structure and fuel at 200 miles per hour. There is more drag with the shape but there is also lift which is what we want. Engines built to use atmosphere for oxygen will save mass within the vessel which will have to carry less on board. More continuous and numerous multi-staging would also shave mass off the craft as it is using up fuel modules. The calculations would involve a great many factors. It is more of a thought experiment. This goes back to classic sci fi days. Something to think about. Or not. As you wish.

Because rockets do not work in space.

It would need to be a MASSIVE slope. Maybe too big?

I thought of a railgun and another way using a balloon to get it 'high enough' then a smaller rocket to finish it off.

Given that neither was purpose built for space flight, it was likely easier and more efficient to just take the basic concepts learned and start from scratch. Even with a boost phase, the V2 was still a small rocket with limited fuel that wouldn't have been able to do anything more than reach the edge of space.

Use a mountain or volcano for the down slope, then construct a launch ramp. Material science has come along way since the v1 era.

Rail gun theory is promising as an added boost in upper stages was what I was thinking.

Dirigibles or air ships of some large proportion are also interesting.

The American space program did come out of the German rocket technology, didn't it ?