Reviews major design trades in optimizing performance for Pioneer Rocketplane's design. Presented at 1999 AAS/AIAA Space Flight Mechanics Conference.
Click here to read the paper
Click here to see the presentation
Pathfinder Evolution
Describes the spiral design process at Pioneer Rocketplane as the launch vehicle design went from an initial concept to a closed baseline architecture.
RLV Heuristics
Compares the rules of thumbs used by different launch vehicle designers and studies how they were applied in a variety of system designs.
NPOESS History
Analyzes the development process of the NPOESS weather satellite system in terms of the political constraints on the system architecture and development process.
Risk Management
Shows the variety of risk management approaches available and discusses how the select the appropriate one for a particular project.
Design for Financial Success
Demonstrates a method for identifying the optimum payload size for a reusable launch vehicle to maximize the financial success of the system (under the market assumptions of 1998). This revisits work done at Pioneer Rocketplane.
Optimization of Ascent Trajectory and Related Design Issues for an Aerial Propellant Transfer Rocketplane.
Reviews major design trades in optimizing performance for Pioneer Rocketplane's design. Presented at 1999 AAS/AIAA Space Flight Mechanics Conference.
Click here to read the paper
Click here to see the presentation
Patent US 6,173,178B1
Satellite Beam Pattern for Non-Uniform Population Distribution. Matching Ka-band communications coverage to potential users requires adapting to population density with beam cells of varying size. Note that the patent is listed under my former name, Karl Dishaw.
Where Are the Flying Cars? (with David Spitzley)
Discussion of why some of the famous "technologies of the future" have never come to pass. (Subscription required for full article)
Nanofactory Critique
Assessment of nanofactory design presented by Chris Phoenix of the Center for Responsible Nanotechnology.
Critique Calculations
Supporting calculations in Excel format.
Response to Wright's Terrorism Strategy
Detailed discussion of the causes of the war on terror, how best to fight it, and strategy for the future.
Poor Bloody Infantry
Additional rules and scenarios for infantry in the Ogre/GEV wargame.
The Hills Are Alive With the Sound of Panic
An adventure for GURPS Illuminati University, featuring the Hysteria Department and military procurement.
The Little Engineer That Could (with Laura Gallagher)
A heart-warming tale of a NASA system development success.
The Goth Redneck List (many contributors)
Other comments can be found
on Karl's journal
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