Future Point to Point Suborbital Spaceplane Architectures and Operating Concepts

Paper number

IAC-08.D2.4.2

Author

Mr. Charles Lauer, Rocketplane Global, Inc., United States

Coauthor

Mr. Tad Theno, Rocketplane Global, Inc., United States

Coauthor

Mr. David Faulkner, Rocketplane Global, Inc., United States

Coauthor

Ms. Misuzu Onuki, Space Frontier Foundation, Japan

Year

2008

Abstract

Rocketplane Global (RpG) is one of the leading new suborbital spaceplane development and operations companies, based in Oklahoma City, OK.  The XP spaceplane is a horizontal takeoff and landing vehicle which uses conventional afterburning turbojets for takeoff and landing operations and a LOX / kerosene rocket engine for the ascent to space.  The home base for RpG is the Oklahoma Spaceport, which has been developed by the Oklahoma Space Industry Development Authority (OSIDA) from a former USAF B-52 Strategic Air Command base in western Oklahoma.  RpG has also initiated a collaboration with the Hokkaido Aerospace Science Technology Incubation Center (HASTIC) for development of a secondary spaceport in Hokkaido Japan in the Tokachi District.  RpG has also recently initiated other spaceport development projects in the US and overseas.

Part of the strategy behind the business concept of operating from multiple locations around the world is to get international operating experience with first generation spaceplanes in order to set the stage for the introduction and operation of second generation spaceplanes which can cross trans-oceanic distances in an hour or so.  This class of vehicle will be able to service new markets for just-in-time delivery of materials, global same day package delivery, and ultra-premium passenger travel.

This paper will describe the necessary technology development and the legal and regulatory infrastructure that needs to be developed in order to introduce this new class of transportation service and operate in profitably.

Abstract document

IAC-08.D2.4.2.pdf

Manuscript document

IAC-08.D2.4.2.pdf (🔒 authorized access only).

To get the manuscript, please contact IAF Secretariat.