Boeing X-40 Space Maneuver Vehicle
The Boeing X-40A was an experimental spaceplane that served as a technology demonstrator for autonomous landing and recovery capabilities.
Crewed Spaceplanes
Crewed spaceplanes are spacecraft designed to operate like an airplane for parts of their mission, particularly during launch, re-entry, or landing, while also traveling into space. They are crucial for expanding access to space for astronauts and, increasingly, private individuals. Let’s soar into the heavens aboard cutting-edge spaceplanes, blending the capabilities of aircraft and spacecraft to transport astronauts to orbit and back.
Examples of Spaceplanes
Three examples of spaceplanes are VSS unity, Prometheus (concept), and SpaceShipTwo. VSS Unity is part of Virgin Galactic’s fleet of suborbital spaceplanes, built to carry tourists and scientific payloads into space. It represents a significant step in making space tourism a reality. The Prometheus spaceplane is a concept developed by the European aerospace company Reaction Engines. It is a visionary approach to creating a fully reusable spaceplane for crewed and uncrewed missions. Lastly, SpaceShipTwo is the broader class of suborbital spaceplanes developed by Virgin Galactic, with VSS Unity being one of its operational models.
Orbital Sciences X-34 (Prototype)
Discover the Orbital Sciences X-34, an innovative suborbital spaceplane designed to revolutionize access to space with reusable technology.
Rockwell X-30 (Prototype)
Explore the Lockheed Martin X-33, a groundbreaking spaceplane prototype that aimed to revolutionize space travel with reusable technology.
Rockwell X-30 (Concept)
The Rockwell X-30 was a groundbreaking spaceplane concept that aimed to revolutionize space access with its hypersonic capabilities.
Boeing X-20 Dyna-Soar (Concept)
Explore the legacy of the Boeing X-20 Dyna-Soar, a pioneering spaceplane project that paved the way for future advancements in aerospace tech.
VSS Unity
Explore VSS Unity, Virgin Galactic’s revolutionary spacecraft offering suborbital spaceflight experiences and experience weightlessness.
Prometheus Spacecraft (Concept)
The Prometheus spacecraft was designed to unlock the secrets of the universe through advanced propulsion and cutting-edge instruments.
SpaceShipTwo
Explore SpaceShipTwo, Virgin Galactic’s innovative spacecraft offering suborbital space tourism experiences and its role in commercial flight.