ATRX Space Plane

The ATRX Space Plane is a reusable aerospace vehicle that can take off from a runway like an airplane, fly to low earth orbit in space, and return to land on a runway. The key technology enabling this capability is an airbreathing propulsion system known as an Air Turbo Rocket that can accelerate the Space Plane to Mach 5 at the edge of space using much less propellant than conventional rocket propulsion.

Simple aircraft-like operation avoids the cost and complexity of launch systems that use only rocket propulsion and require multiple stages to reach orbit. Passengers will appreciate the more conventional aircraft-like experience of boarding, take-off, landing and disembarkation from the vehicle in a horizontal orientation.

The primary application envisioned for the Space Plane is transportation of commercial passengers and payloads to and from the growing number of planned private space stations, including those of Axiom Space, Sierra Space, Orbital Assembly and Nanoracks. Initial versions of the Space Plane would carry two to four passengers and have a crew of two.

ATRX is currently developing Air Turbo Rocket technology, including performing engine hot fire tests, and plans to perform supersonic flight testing of ATR-powered UAVs in 2022. A few notes about the ATR are included in the section below.

Additional information about the engine—including the theory of operation, comparisons with other propulsion systems, and engine test videos—is available at www.airturborocket.com.