SPACE PLANE OPERATION
Operation of the ATRX Space Plane is similar to that of a conventional aircraft, with a notable difference being that the vehicle is able to fly into space and reach orbital velocity. A typical mission of a crewed Space Plane to a space station is illustrated below. Other versions of the Space Plane, such an uncrewed small satellite launch vehicle, would operate in much the same way.
Taxi to Runway
After passengers and crew have boarded and cargo has been loaded, the vehicle taxis or is towed to the runway.
Takeoff on ATR Power
The vehicle accelerates and takes off using its Air Turbo Rocket engines which are mounted in nacelles under the fuselage.
Acceleration to Mach 5 on ATR Power
The Space Plane accelerates using ATR propulsion to approximately Mach 5 at the edge of space.
The ATRs are shut down at this point as the vehicle speed and altitude approach the operating limits of these engines.
Continued Acceleration on Rocket Power
The conventional rocket engines are started and accelerate the vehicle to orbital velocity (about 17,400 mph).
Rendezvous with Space Station
Once in orbit, the Space Plane maneuvers for a rendezvous with the commercial space station in low earth orbit. Upon docking with the station, passengers enter the station to begin their extraordinary experience in space. Cargo is off-loaded from the Space Plane to the station.
Earth-bound passengers board the Space Plane and any cargo destined for earth is loaded into the vehicle.
Runway Landing
The Space Plane briefly fires its Orbital Maneuvering engines to lower its trajectory into the upper reaches of the atmosphere. It then decelerates in the atmosphere using its wings and lands on a runway. The passengers disembark and the cargo is off-loaded
Within a few hours, the Space Plane propellants tanks are refilled, new passengers have embarked, new cargo has been loaded and the journey back to space is repeated.
