spaceplanes
Reusable spacecraft vehicles
Spaceplanes are aircraft designed to operate both in Earth's atmosphere and in space, combining features of airplanes and spacecraft.
Unlike conventional rockets that launch vertically and are largely expendable, spaceplanes typically take off or land like aircraft and are reusable: The spaceplane glided back to the runway after completing its orbital mission.
The term covers vehicles ranging from experimental craft to proposed commercial transports.
Curved celestial path
- LEOAcronym for close orbits
- reentryComing back in
- microgravityExtremely weak gravitational force
- satelliteOrbiting celestial body
docking · ISS · payload · heatshield · spaceport · launch · descent · trajectory
Physics of air motion
- fuselageAircraft's central structure
- wingLimb enabling flight
- cockpitPilot's control compartment
- propulsionForce driving movement forward
turbojet · ramjet · scramjet · thrust · lift · drag · avionics · runway
Having two operational states
- air-breathingUsing lungs for oxygen
- multimodalUsing multiple forms
- versatileCapable in varied contexts
- crossoverGenre-blending work or transition
First commercial crewed spacecraft
- X-15Hypersonic research aircraft
- HermesOlympian messenger deity
- StarshipFully reusable super-heavy rocket
- Blue OriginPrivate American spaceflight company
Renewal of worn items
- turnaroundShift in opposite direction
- maintainableCapable of being kept up
- serviceableFit for purpose
- modularMade of separable units
redeployable · overhaul · reliability · fleet · commercial · inspection
orbit
Curved celestial path
- LEOAcronym for close orbits
- reentryComing back in
- microgravityExtremely weak gravitational force
satellite · docking · ISS · payload · heatshield · spaceport · launch · descent · trajectory · apogee
aerodynamics
Physics of air motion
propulsion · turbojet · ramjet · scramjet · thrust · lift · drag · avionics · runway · takeoff
dual-mode
Having two operational states
- air-breathingUsing lungs for oxygen
- multimodalUsing multiple forms
- versatileCapable in varied contexts
SpaceShipOne
First commercial crewed spacecraft
refurbishment
Renewal of worn items
- turnaroundShift in opposite direction
- maintainableCapable of being kept up
- serviceableFit for purpose
modular · redeployable · overhaul · reliability · fleet · commercial · inspection