Radian Aerospace, located in Washington, has revealed the development of a single-stage-to-orbit spaceplane that takes off and lands horizontally. The announcement aroused speculation about what may be called the industry's holy grail.
The company has already obtained $27.5 million in seed funding. Radian One, a crew-carrying orbital space aircraft that Radian thinks will alter spaceflight and travel on Earth, will benefit from the funds.
"We believe that widespread access to space means limitless opportunities for humankind," Radian CEO and co-founder Richard Humphrey said in a statement.
Casting and assembly of the solid rocket booster, shown here, for the Artemis IV mission is underway at Northrop Grumman’s factory in Promontory, Utah. The booster motors for Artemis II and Artemis III have completed casting and are ready to go to NASA’s Kennedy Space Center where they will be assembled with other booster hardware being prepared for the missions.
Radian Aerospace to Build Single-Stage-To-Orbit Spaceplane
Business Insider said Radian One would be built and fashioned like an aircraft with wings that significantly impact spaceflight. As a result, it will transport people and light cargo to low earth orbit in an aircraft-like manner (LEO).
In contrast to conventional vertical liftoffs, the space aircraft will launch and land horizontally. However, the space plane will need assistance from a sled during takeoff.
Radian One will be able to conduct a mission, refuel, and fly again 48 hours after touchdown, in addition to traveling to space. The spacecraft is designed to be fully reusable and capable of staying in orbit for up to five days.
Space.com said Radian One is also built to travel here on Earth, with the capability of carrying up to 2,270 kilograms (5,004 pounds) anywhere in the world in less than an hour.
How Single-Stage-To-Orbit Spaceplane Works
In a nutshell, a single-stage-to-orbit spaceplane may resemble the commercial jets at the local airport. These vehicles are less expensive, more sustainable, and fully reusable compared to traditional rockets. Despite their diminutive size, they can provide quick and convenient transportation anywhere on the planet.
Radian said they would design the first single-stage-to-orbit spaceplane using a concept known as the rocket sled launch. It indicates that the rocket will launch horizontally, like a cannon, by accumulating speed on a ramp launcher. Radian's project goals were summarized by Inverse as follows:
- A rocket with a sled-assist that takes off horizontally;
- A smooth climb with fewer forces acting against the crew;
- A smooth landing is possible on a 10,000-foot runway; and
- The capacity to land and take off again in less than 48 hours
Although the concept is easy enough to grasp, the design's finer intricacies are pretty tricky to learn. It has a serious problem that all contemporary rockets have.
Rocket Staging Explained
It's worth noting that the majority of today's spacecraft employ "rocket staging." To overcome weight constraints and break past Earth's atmosphere, this is a process of dumping engines and empty fuel tanks.
For comparison, when the NASA Saturn V, which was utilized for the Apollo missions, launched, it had three stages. As it ascended to space, the spacecraft shed its engines three times. According to NASA, the spacecraft's first stage lifted it to a height of 68 kilometers, the second stage placed it in Earth's orbit, and the third stage placed it outside of the orbit on its way to the Moon.
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