The configuration of an orbital reusable spaceplane has been presented in Russia
The Molniya Research and Production Association presented the configuration of a new civil reusable complex with an orbital aircraft. It is assumed that the spaceplane will serve the development of space tourism in the Russian Federation by reducing the health requirements of tourists and reducing the cost of launch.
Let us recall that a spaceplane is, in fact, an aircraft with a composite glider of the “load-bearing body” type with a deflectable swept V-shaped wing. The need to create a device of this type in Russia was thought about several years ago.
Now the task has been set, and the development of a civil reusable complex with an orbital aircraft is in full swing
– Olga Sokolova, general director of NPO Molniya, said at the time.
In all likelihood, the developers are not going to give up their know-how. Although the creation of the spaceplane was subjected to severe criticism even at the level of the idea. But now even the concept of the device of the future has been presented. According to it, a medium-class launch vehicle will be used to launch the spaceplane into orbit.
The crew of the spaceplane itself will consist of four people, and it will be equipped with an RD-0109 engine. The developers call its undoubted advantages an increase in the number of landing areas and the possibility of changing the landing airfield at all launch sites. In addition, the new device will be able to pass twice over any point on the Earth by changing the inclination of the orbit.
Another advantage of the device should be a significant reduction in the costs of search and rescue operations. In addition, the advent of a spaceplane could significantly reduce production costs. After all, the device will be reusable.
Please note that there is no information yet about the spaceplane’s completion date.
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