re: I supervised an Honours Thesis on this topic
hey thanks again, but I think I'm not explaining myself well (as you can see, I'm not a native English speaker - dutch here -- and I'm not a scientist either).
But the purpose was to make a parabolic flight, just to "touch" 100km and then return. No orbit. Not staying up there for longer than one or a few minutes. Just a natural loop, as if you were shooting a bullet in the air.
Just think of criteria for the X-prize: get 3 people up to 100km and get back immediately.
I hope I have explained myself better :-)
Would this change the equation?
(My last hope :-)) I'd be glad if you'd respond one more time, Gary. Thx!