Spaceplanes From Airport to Spaceport presents a coherent, lucid, and optimistic picture of the future of the near future. Space vehicles may soon take off from international airports and refuel in space. New technologies could allow flights to take off regularly between the Earth and the Moon. The technical details presented explain precisely how all this can be accomplished within the next few decades. This book also explains why the Space Tourist market could easily become the single most important factor in the mid-term future development of space transportation. In a few years it will be possible to board a spaceplane and fly into Earth orbit, and perhaps visit a space station. Later development could include refuelling in orbit to take a tour of cislunar space. The book's solid engineering foundation will be of interest to both space exploration enthusiasts and future space travelers.

This is the first comprehensive book on the European Hermes program. It tells the fascinating story of how Europe aimed for an independent manned spaceflight capability which was to complement US and Soviet/Russian space activities. In 1975, France decided to expand its plans for automated satellites for materials processing to include the development of a small 10 ton spaceplane to be launched on top of a future heavy-lifting Ariane rocket. This Hermes spaceplane would give Europe its own human spaceflight capability for shuttling crews between Earth and space stations. The European Space Agency backed the proposal. Unfortunately, after detailed studies, the project was cancelled in 1993. If Hermes had been introduced into service, it could have become the preferred "space taxi" for ferrying crews to and from the International Space Station. But that opportunity was lost. This book provides the first look of the complete story of and reasons for the demise of this ambitious program. It also gives an account which pieces of Hermes survived and are active in the 2nd decade of the 21st century. This fascinating story will be a great read for space enthusiasts. But it will also serve as a comprehensive documentation of an important episode in the history of manned spaceflight.

What Is Spaceplane A vehicle that is capable of flying and gliding like an airplane while in the atmosphere of Earth and maneuvering like a spacecraft while in space is referred to as a spaceplane. In order to do this, spaceplanes need to include aspects of both aviation and spacecraft into their design. Sub-orbital spaceplanes often resemble fixed-wing aircraft more than orbital spaceplanes do, whereas orbital spaceplanes tend to be more analogous to conventional spacecraft. Rockets have been used to power every spaceplane that has ever flown, but gliders have been used to land them. How You Will Benefit (I) Insights, and validations about the following topics: Chapter 1: Spaceplane Chapter 2: Human spaceflight Chapter 3: Buran programme Chapter 4: Spacecraft Chapter 5: Spaceflight Chapter 6: Lifting body Chapter 7: Human spaceflight programs Chapter 8: Reusable launch system Chapter 9: Boeing X-20 Dyna-Soar Chapter 10: Lockheed Martin X-33 Chapter 11: Boeing X-37 Chapter 12: Dream Chaser Chapter 13: Launch vehicle Chapter 14: List of crewed spacecraft Chapter 15: Intermediate eXperimental Vehicle Chapter 16: Buran (spacecraft) Chapter 17: USA-212 Chapter 18: Takeoff and landing Chapter 19: XS-1 (spacecraft) Chapter 20: Space Rider Chapter 21: SNC Demo-1 (II) Answering the public top questions about spaceplane. (III) Real world examples for the usage of spaceplane in many fields. (IV) 17 appendices to explain, briefly, 266 emerging technologies in each industry to have 360-degree full understanding of spaceplane' technologies. Who This Book Is For Professionals, undergraduate and graduate students, enthusiasts, hobbyists, and those who want to go beyond basic knowledge or information for any kind of spaceplane.

Manned Spacecraft Design Principles presents readers with a brief, to-the-point primer that includes a detailed introduction to the information required at the preliminary design stage of a manned space transportation system. In the process of developing the preliminary design, the book covers content not often discussed in a standard aerospace curriculum, including atmospheric entry dynamics, space launch dynamics, hypersonic flow fields, hypersonic heat transfer, and skin friction, along with the economic aspects of space flight. Key concepts relating to human factors and crew support systems are also included, providing users with a comprehensive guide on how to make informed choices from an array of competing options. The text can be used in conjunction with Pasquale Sforza's, Commercial Aircraft Design Principles to form a complete course in Aircraft/Spacecraft Design. - Presents a brief, to-the-point primer that includes a detailed introduction to the information required at the preliminary design stage of a manned space transportation system - Involves the reader in the preliminary design of a modern manned spacecraft and associated launch vehicle - Includes key concepts relating to human factors and crew support systems - Contains standard, empirical, and classical methods in support of the design process - Culminates in the preparation of a professional quality design report

This title brings readers the history and excitement of the world's attempts at creating aircraft that are part plane and part spaceship. From NASA's space shuttles to Britain's Skylon to Virgin Galactic's Unity, readers learn the developments of the past that have led to the possibility of everyday travelers going where only highly trained astronauts have gone before. Aligned to Common Core Standards and correlated to state standards. A&D Xtreme is an imprint of Abdo Publishing, a division of ABDO.