That'd be a seriously expensive proposition! While both the 1st stage and Dragon2 are optimized for multiple launches, they aren't optimized for this type of flight where the full power of the booster isn't needed, nor the robustness of the Dragon capsule, nor the ability to launch dozens and dozens of times for an overpriced thrill ride.Think VG but at ten times the price for a fraction of the useful life... Now a new system optimized for sub-orbital flight would be interesting!
What is the approximate reentry speed and angle of your proposed trajectory? At speeds much less than orbital you can probably get good enough results assuming a flat Earth and an acceleration due to gravity that's a constant 9.8 m/s/s, i.e. elementary high school physics. I fear the vertical component of velocity at reentry would be high enough to make reentry acceleration exceed the levels customers would volunteer for (or possibly even survive). This is related to the concept of "black zones" for launch vehicles carrying humans, which has been discussed numerous times on these forums.
What about using it to accelerate scramjet prototypes?
What is the approximate reentry speed and angle of your proposed trajectory? [...] I fear the vertical component of velocity at reentry would be high enough to make reentry acceleration exceed the levels customers would volunteer for (or possibly even survive).
Quote from: Nilof on 12/25/2015 10:59 amWhat about using it to accelerate scramjet prototypes?Scramjets are not a good idea.Its not by chance that only the USA is pursuing them.You can't take off on scramjet power.Accelerating from zero to Mach 4+ is a daunting job.