aerospike

Remember what happened last time unqualified people made major funding decisions: X-33 Venture Star, doomed already at the drawing board with its absolutely ridiculous 4% mass margin of error (in comparison, Saturn V engineers used 50% as a rule of thumb) AND in addition betting on unproven technology such as aerospike and cryogenic composite tanks.

Jeff Hanley's Latest Update From the Denial Zone - NASA Watch 2009

They designed the X-33's "aerospike" engine so that the flow of air serves to shape the engine's exhaust.

The Space Siren 2007

If you want to pursue a SSTO then it goes down to 4%, which is what failed on the X-33 once their composite cryogenic tank and the aerospike engine didn't work as expected.

Would You Bring Back NGLT-or SLI? - NASA Watch 2009

If you want to pursue a SSTO then it goes down to 4%, which is what failed on the X-33 once their composite cryogenic tank and the aerospike engine didn't work as expected.

Would You Bring Back NGLT-or SLI? - NASA Watch 2009

X-33 spaceplane should be completed and developed into reusable, aerospike engine powered, TiN skinned, spacecraft.

Ares V Draft Proposal Request - NASA Watch 2008

X-33 spaceplane should be completed and developed into reusable, aerospike engine powered, TiN skinned, spacecraft.

Ares V Draft Proposal Request - NASA Watch 2008

No I guess some would have all of us GA pilots have our planes use some form of a hydrogen/oxygen rocket or aerospike engine on our 172's simply because it is more advanced or "modern".

Astronaut Office Weighs In (Officially) On Ares/Orion/EELVs - NASA Watch 2008

Lockheed Martin: The flying-wing design and linear aerospike engine are intended to make both the X-33 and the RLV (artist's rendering shown) efficient at any altitude.

Son Of The Shuttle 2008

The aerospike engine turned out to be a big success.

The Space Siren 2007

I don't think you necessarily need a destination to work on aerospike engines for rockets.

Out of the Cradle Ken Murphy 2010