British Space Plane Concept Gets Boost

Space.com ^ | 03/11/09 | Jeremy Hsu

[KevinDavis]

Launching into orbit could become a little easier and cheaper, thanks to a futuristic space plane that looks like it might have flown straight out of a Star Wars film.

The European Space Agency and British government have awarded $1 million euros ($1.28 million dollars) to Reaction Engines Limited (REL), a British aerospace company, as part of a multi-million dollar development program for an air-breathing rocket engine that could power the Skylon spaceplane. The unpiloted, reusable vehicle is designed to take off from an airstrip, deliver cargo into orbit and return to the same runway.

[Vaquero]

if you read the article the engine changes from an air breather to a liquid oxygen breather at higher altitudes.

[Vaquero]

Cool looking design:

cool but if this thing is truly an orbital craft, the engine nacelles, wings and canards will melt off on re-entry.

[SunkenCiv]

The unpiloted, reusable vehicle is designed to take off from an airstrip, deliver cargo into orbit and return to the same runway.

It's a great idea, as long as no one cares A) how little payload it delivers and B) how little actual, practical reusability the thing will have. Thanks KD.