this post was submitted on 13 Apr 2026
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Could even take a scramjet to the upper layers of the atmosphere before kicking in the chemical propulsion
I mean, that's kinda still just adding on weight and another "stage" to the rocket. A scram jet hauling a rocket ship will use tons of fuel.
I thought scramjets were supposed to be really fuel-efficient? Just launch them with your gauss cannon idea so that they don't need much fuel to get up to speed.
Maybe you're right about the weight though. I'm not an engineer.
They're efficient for what they are but think of it more like a gas pickup truck getting 30 mpg would be considered very efficient. But that would be terrible for a compact car.
Also, scram jets only get efficient once they're going fast enough.
Yeah that's why you do multi-stage like conventional jet -> ramjet -> scramjet
But again, yeah if it needs to carry a rocket then it might be unfeasible. We could try your gauss cannon idea, that sounds fun. Like a maglev train, but shaped like those rides from roller coaster tycoon where you could launch people to their deaths. Except instead of crashing, the rocket kicks on mid-flight. It could work.
So you want a giant ass jet that can carry millions of pounds to carry a giant ass ram jet, scram jet, and rocket ship with boosters and rocket fuel?
Also, the thrust required from that jet is completely impossible. Let alone how wildly inificient all that would be. Every step of the way. Like, this is truly a God awful horrible idea. Like, the worst. Also, it's not good.
I already agreed that it's unfeasible, I don't know why you're getting so upset. I literally said your gauss cannon idea is better, chill out.