An overview of the space plane program planned by the NAL (National Aerospace Laboratory) is presented. The tentative base line mission requirements such as space transportation to and from LEO (Low Earth Orbit); short term experimental laboratory orbit for earth observation; microgravity; servicing to platforms, maintenance, and repair; space passenger tour through orbital and sub-orbital flight; etc. are outlined. The characteristics of the SSTO (Single Stage to Orbit) vehicle concept are summarized as follows: (1) integration of SCRAMJET (Supersonic Combustion Ramjet) engine and LACE (Liquid Air Cycle Engine); (2) fueling with slush hydrogen with fuel weight fraction of less than 70 percent; and (3) total gross weight of 350 tons with the structural weight reduction by 20 percent of the current technological potential.
Spaceplane Program at NAL: System Concept and Related Technology Issues
1993
4 pages
Report
No indication
English
Manned Spacecraft , Aerospace planes , Japanese spacecraft , Single stage to orbit vehicles , Space transportation system , Spacecraft design , Earth orbital environments , Liquid air cycle engines , Project planning , Propulsion system configurations , Spacecraft configurations , Supersonic combustion ramjet engines , Foreign technology
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