SAM
Obviously the engineers are comfortable with the power requirements at any altitude, otherwise there'd no test flight.:>)
I'm going to have to think about your explanation. I'm not quite ready to buy it.
I'm a golfer. At sea level, my drive carries X yards. At 6000 feet elevation, my drive carries X + 10%X to 12%X yards. The force generated by my swing is the same at either elevation. What accounts for the difference? If you use the same iron for your approach shot at elevation as you do at sea level, you'd better make an early trip to the ATM because you're gonna be buying the drinks.
It would appear to me that the more "rarified" the air is, the less force you need to obtain the same results. What you appear to be saying is that, the higher the ship goes (all other things being equal), the more power it needs to navigate the same distance. Also, even though the "props" won't operate as efficiently at 65000ft, the resistance to the Stratellite's movement is also diminished, significantly. Maybe it's a wash.
Remember, after the summit, there were questions about the control of the ship at the lower altitudes, not at operational altitude. GTEL said that was proprietary information.
Thanks for your response. I'll think about it for a while.
