The Rolls engines designed for HOTOL were meant to do the same, by a different method. They were going to use the hydrogen fuel to operate the intake heat exchangers. The engine then burnt hot hydrogen. Any excess was used as reheat injected into the exhaust.
There was a movie showing their heat exchanger test going around. It is a gas to gas (helium.) And you can pump helium at very high flow rates. Speed of sound in helium is 1000m/s after all.
NeedMoreTea|7 years ago
The Rolls engines designed for HOTOL were meant to do the same, by a different method. They were going to use the hydrogen fuel to operate the intake heat exchangers. The engine then burnt hot hydrogen. Any excess was used as reheat injected into the exhaust.
scotty79|7 years ago
Or do they just boil of the nitrogen into the atmosphere and need to take a supply of it for the whole trip?
baybal2|7 years ago