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The rocket engines are arranged in a ring around the major diameter of a SSTO.The hydrogen tanks form what is , in effect, a a large plug, with a toroidal oxygen tank mounted forward.
source.image: Hazegrayart
The rockets are enclosed in an air duct equipped with adjustable inlets. A jettisonable shroud extends the mixing area down stream of the rockets.
The conical payload fairing serves as an inlet spike during accent through the atmosphere.
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The air enter through the inlet, mixes with the rocket exhaust, is heated and expands past the plug-shaped aft body, thus contributing additional thrust. The mixing shroud is jettisoned and the inlets are closed after leaving the atmosphere.
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