“Space Force?”

Yep...I often tell my colleagues what we really need to be working on is the “g” term in the rocket equation ... the gravitational constant.

Delta v = g * Isp * ln (Mass Ratio)

Delta v = 17,500 mph. To achieve orbit a rocket has to achieve 17,500 mph or ~Mach 22. (The SR-71 achieved Mach 3. The X-15 achieved Mach 6.)

Isp = specific impulse and is a measure of a rocket engine’s efficiency. We know how to achieve the best Isp using chemical or liquid propellants. Little improvement here.

The Mass Ratio is the wt of the rocket fully fueled divided by the wt at burn out. We have worked this to death. Minimal improvement is possible.

“g” is all we have left. We can measure gravity, we have equations for it, we can use it, we can demonstrate its existence. We do not fully understand it.
 
@bruno , I assume you're okay with a space corps so long as they don't wear berets.

Would the beret be appropriate for Spacial Forces?
 
No ... It will be silver spandex jumpsuits or uniforms from the "Evil Spock" universe and most folks won't look good enough to qualify.

:spacecraft:
 
On a more serious note though, do you think that Air Force cadets need to worry about being siphoned off into this new branch?
 
tibreaker said:
On a more serious note though, do you think that Air Force cadets need to worry about being siphoned off into this new branch?
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There are many, many things that would have to happen before a new uniformed service, armed force, any flavor force, could be stood up. The wheels of bureaucracy grind exceedingly slowly. When things like that do happen, volunteers are looked for first. Look to your left, look to your right, don’t you have classmates whom you know would leap at the chance? We have had a couple of our USNA sponsor mids who wrote fan fiction for Star Trek episodes, could endlessly debate the relative merits of various starship captains, whether TV series or movie. I know they would raise their hand if they ever had the opportunity.
 
I expect DODMERB will DQ applicants to the Space Academy and SROTC who have arachnophobia. We can't have our Starship Troopers afraid of spiders.
 
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cb7893 said:
Grizzled Veterans sitting around the VSW in the year 2096:

"Yeah, spent four years on a Mars deployment. Got back and my wife had aged six. The friggin' recruiter promised me I'd never leave Earth's orbit."
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Sure.... Mars.... easy shore duty!
 
tibreaker said:
On a more serious note though, do you think that Air Force cadets need to worry about being siphoned off into this new branch?
Click to expand...

No, I wouldn't worry about that. This is simply a proposal/concept floated by the administration. These are often done to measure public reaction. You may recall R. Reagan made a speech about the 'Star Wars missile defense system'......and nothing much ever came out of that except for some research and tests. Funding will be required and regardless of what fast-talking E. Musk says about traveling to Mars, known/existing space travel technology remains VERY expensive. As others also mentioned, it would take several years to implement whatever is proposed, if it ever becomes reality.

Wait 3 months and see if it is still being considered.
 
time2 said:
No, I wouldn't worry about that. This is simply a proposal/concept floated by the administration. These are often done to measure public reaction. You may recall R. Reagan made a speech about the 'Star Wars missile defense system'......and nothing much ever came out of that except for some research and tests...
Click to expand...

Didn't SDI help bring down the Soviet Union??
 
time2 said:
You may recall R. Reagan made a speech about the 'Star Wars missile defense system'......and nothing much ever came out of that except for some research and tests.
Click to expand...

It spawned the Missile Defense Agency . . .
 
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^^ While started in 1983, now some 35 yrs later, it still hasn't achieved the original Reagan objective.
 
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