Are space planes possible?

Are space planes possible?

A spaceplane is a vehicle that can fly and glide like an aircraft in Earth’s atmosphere and maneuver like a spacecraft in outer space. Three types of spaceplanes have successfully launched to orbit, reentered Earth’s atmosphere, and landed: the Space Shuttle, Buran, and the X-37.

Is single-stage-to-orbit possible?

A single-stage-to-orbit (or SSTO) vehicle reaches orbit from the surface of a body using only propellants and fluids and without expending tanks, engines, or other major hardware. It is considered to be marginally possible to launch a single-stage-to-orbit chemically-fueled spacecraft from Earth.

Is VentureStar real?

VentureStar was a single-stage-to-orbit reusable launch system proposed by Lockheed Martin and funded by the U.S. government. The VentureStar would have had a wingspan of 68 feet (20.7 m), a length of 127 feet (38.7 m), and would have weighed roughly 1000 t (2.2 million lb).

Are SSTO feasible?

Unlike multiple-stage vehicles, the feasibility of an SSTO vehicle is severely limited because it must be placed on the low Earth orbit without separation of heavy components that are unnecessary for the orbital or reentry flight.

Can Virgin Galactic reach orbit?

Although the two spacecraft launched in July 2021 will not reach orbit, the accomplishment of reaching space in private spacecraft is a major milestone in the history of humanity.

Can fighter jets reach space?

Even the most modern of fighter jets cannot fly into space. Jet engines rely on air intake to function properly. Once you get above certain heights the air is too thin for jet engines to work efficiently so they end up shutting down.

Are Sstos worth it?

It is absolutely worth it to make them reusable. Fuel-to-space: Cheaper to mine it on Minmus, costs almost nothing to launch and transfer using dedicated, reusable, landers and tugs.

Why do rockets have multiple stages?

Rockets have multiple stages because the effectiveness of a rocket is inversely proportional to its mass and using stages allows us to reduce the mass of the rockets as it operates.

Why was x33 Cancelled?

By early 2001, the program was officially canceled – five years and $1.5 billion down the line. Official reasons for the cancellation was a disagreement over extra funding from both industry partners, NASA and Lockheed Martin.

When was Venture Star Cancelled?

NASA cancelled the project in 2001 before any test flights were carried out after some technical problems proved too difficult to solve. This model is a relic of an ambitious but failed attempt to validate a new spaceplane concept.

Was the space shuttle SSTO?

As for Earth orbit, there have not been any true single-stage-to-orbit launches since the vehicle should not jettison any components to be considered true SSTO. However, both the Atlas-B and Space Shuttle did carry the first stage to orbit in some sense (sometimes referred to as “stage-and-a-half” configuration).

What are the advantages of VentureStar over the Space Shuttle?

VentureStar’s engineering and design would have offered numerous advantages over the Space Shuttle, representing considerable savings in time and materials, as well as increased safety. VentureStar was expected to launch satellites into orbit at about 1/10 the cost of the Shuttle.

What was the purpose of the visualventurestar?

VentureStar was a single-stage-to-orbit reusable launch system proposed by Lockheed Martin and funded by the U.S. government. The goal was to replace the Space Shuttle by developing a re-usable spaceplane that could launch satellites into orbit at a fraction of the cost.

What happened to NASA’s VentureStar?

The VentureStar may now be nothing more than a memory, but it nearly became part of NASA’s future ambitions – playing a role as part of a commercial fleet and even an option for the US Air Force.

What was the size of the VentureStar?

While the requirement was for an unmanned launcher, it was expected to carry passengers as cargo. The VentureStar would have had a wingspan of 68 feet (20.7 m), a length of 127 feet (38.7 m), and would have weighed roughly 1000 t (2.2 million lb).