Scram Jet Blimps: Reaching Space with Rigid Dirigibles and Scram Jets

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the feasibility of using a rigid dirigible or blimp equipped with scramjets to reach space. Participants explore various aspects of this concept, including aerodynamics, material science, and propulsion methods, while considering both theoretical and practical implications.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Debate/contested
  • Technical explanation
  • Conceptual clarification

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants argue that scramjets require high supersonic or hypersonic speeds, which contradicts the low-speed design of blimps due to their large cross-sections and light structures.
  • Others express enthusiasm for the idea of scram-blimps, suggesting a humorous take on the concept.
  • A participant raises safety concerns, describing a hypothetical scenario where a blimp filled with hydrogen could become dangerous under high-speed conditions.
  • There are suggestions to explore the ram pressure rise at high speeds, specifically at Mach 4, on a blimp.
  • One participant discusses a more advanced concept of a Diamond Dirigible, proposing that with the right materials and design, it could potentially reach high speeds, including Mach 10.
  • Questions are raised about the fuel requirements for scramjets once in space, highlighting a potential limitation of the concept.
  • Another participant proposes a hybrid approach, suggesting that a dirigible could ascend using lift before transitioning to rocket propulsion for the final push into space, potentially making it cheaper and safer than traditional ground launches.
  • There is a mathematical inquiry regarding the delta-v needed to transition from the upper atmosphere to space compared to a ground launch.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants generally do not agree on the feasibility of using scramjet-equipped dirigibles to reach space, with multiple competing views presented. The discussion remains unresolved, with various hypotheses and concerns raised without consensus.

Contextual Notes

Participants express uncertainty regarding the practical application of nanotechnology in dirigible construction and the implications of using different gases for lift. There are also unresolved questions about the efficiency of fuel usage in different atmospheric conditions.

Who May Find This Useful

This discussion may be of interest to those exploring innovative aerospace concepts, materials science, and propulsion technologies, as well as enthusiasts of theoretical engineering challenges.

Intuitive
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Would a Rigid Dirigible or Rigid Blimp setup with Scrams Jets be sufficient to reach space?
 
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In brief - NO! Scramjets operate at high supersonic or hypersonic speeds, while blimps/dirigbles are 'design' for low speeds because of their 'large' cross-sections (occupying large volumes of He or H2 which displaces an equal volume of air) and light structures. Hypersonic aircraft require high strength, but lightweight materials, with minimal cross-section.
 
Scram-blimps. I love it.
 
I want one! That's right up there with Hemi-powered roller skates and propellor beanies with tip-jets. I'd love to see the charts of flow dynamics for a blimp at transsonic speed.
 
Neither blimps nor jets will get you to space. Silly boy!
 
I wouldn't travel in such machine. It would be a flying bomb. Imagine a globe filled with H2 and a bow shock increasing the temperature 20 times around it...boooooommmm!
 
That reminds me of a skit I saw a stand up comedian do once...it was Top Gun for blimp pilots.

Anyone care to take the time to estimate the ram pressure rise at the stagnation point on the blimp going M4+?
 
FredGarvin said:
Top Gun for blimp pilots.
:smile: That brought tears to my eyes. :smile: :cry: :smile:
 
Sorry, Bows Gracefully, Takes Evacuated Diamond Dirigible Ship with variable Scram Jets back off the drawing board for now.:bugeye:
 
  • #10
Astronuc said:
:smile: That brought tears to my eyes. :smile: :cry: :smile:
It did me too when I saw the act. It was very funny. Some of the visuals were priceless.
 
  • #11
Happen to remember who it was, Fred? I wouldn't mind trying to find a clip. It must have been hilarious.
By the way, any chance that you'd care to build a model blimp and toss it into your wind tunnel at, say, .9 Mach? :devil:
 
  • #12
Danger said:
Happen to remember who it was, Fred? I wouldn't mind trying to find a clip. It must have been hilarious.
By the way, any chance that you'd care to build a model blimp and toss it into your wind tunnel at, say, .9 Mach? :devil:

The original intention was a Diamond Dirigible from another post about bubble ships, The Hull being made of Diamond and assembled by nanobots molecule by molecule, The Diamond Dirigible would be evacuated by Magnetic Super Conductors, The Gas to evacuate would be Oxygen since Oxygen is the most Paramagnetic Gas and easly attracted to extremely power Magnetic systems, But, I think the future are the only ones who can touch this kind of technology of having Diamond Dirigibles.
I wouldn't see why a Diamond Dirigible couldn't touch Mach 10 if the Diamond Dirigible was built with the right aerodynamics and engines and proper volume displacement, The future may even discover material that far surpass that of even Diamond.

The original topic on Diamond Dirigibles is located here:
https://www.physicsforums.com/showthread.php?t=91173

If you want you can read the entire thread completely to understand where the discussion was coming from.:bugeye:
 
Last edited:
  • #13
And what exactly is your scramjet going to run on when it gets into space?
 
  • #14
Well, the fact that the dirigible is based on nanotechnology that we have only begun to understand is one slight problem with the idea.
 
  • #15
random thoughts
heat may help to lower the amount of gas needed
hot He not H like a hot air balloon but with He not air
once you get above 99% of the air
a rocket could get the beast the rest of the way into orbit
no need to go fast in the lower thick air
just use lift to get way up into the thin air higher part then
kick in the jets [simple lite pulse jets not ram] to get as high as the jets will work no need for real high speeds just get high up in the atmosphere with some speed
then go rocket for the final push into space
maybe leaving the gas bag as a launch vehical behind for reuse
along with empty fuel tanks jets ect
and only take a small craft into space
actual not as dumb as it seems
and a lot cheaper and safer then rockets from the ground

math problem how much Delta V do we need to get from the top bit
of our atmosphere into space vs a ground launch
and how much less fuel is used to gain speed in space vs inside the atmosphere
 
Last edited:

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