Design Overview
Space Plane has a 250,000 kg maximum takeoff mass of which 66% is propellant, liquid hydrogen and oxygen. Its tanks are structurally built into the wing. A 250 m³ cargo bay delivers payloads of up to 5,000 kg to an altitude of 300 to 1000 km. Ten space tourists can be accomodated during missions lasting up to 24 hours.
Space Plane is equipped with a rocket based combined cycle (RBCC) engine using a series of small "ejector" type rockets in an internally ducted configuration that are augmented by intake air during subsonic and supersonic combustion. A fully retractable air intake below the wing opens right after takeoff and augments the variable hydrogen-rich ejector exhaust up to a flight speed of Mach 18. The air intake then closes, and the ejector rockets accelerate Space Plane to orbital speed (Mach > 25).
Space Plane has a length of 60.00 m, a wingspan of 30.03 m, a height of 7.77 m in its clean configuration, and a total volume of 3600 m³. Wing area and volume are 1330 m² and 2461 m³, respectively, with a propellant total volume of 1950 m³. Its tailless wing design reduces aerodyamic drag and minimizes structural mass.
Space Plane Infographic