# spaceplane

> airplane capable of space flight

**Wikidata**: [Q1414565](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q1414565)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spaceplane)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/spaceplane

## Summary
A spaceplane is an airplane capable of space flight, combining the characteristics of both aircraft and spacecraft. It is designed to operate in both Earth's atmosphere and outer space, typically with the ability to reach orbit or perform suborbital flights. Spaceplanes are reusable vehicles that can land like conventional aircraft, offering cost-effective access to space.

## Key Facts
- A spaceplane is a hybrid aircraft and spacecraft designed for atmospheric and spaceflight.
- The concept includes both crewed and uncrewed variants, such as the Dream Chaser and Boeing X-37B.
- Notable examples include the Soviet BOR-4, the ESA's Hermes, and the U.S. Space Shuttle orbiter.
- Spaceplanes can achieve suborbital or orbital flight, with some designs aiming for single-stage-to-orbit capabilities.
- The Soviet Union developed the Buran-class orbiter as part of its Energia-Buran program.
- The German Sänger spaceplane was designed in the 1960s-1995.
- The UK's Skylon is a proposed single-stage-to-orbit spaceplane.
- The Indian Avatar concept envisions a crewed single-stage reusable spaceplane.
- The ESA's Space Rider is an uncrewed space vehicle with spaceplane characteristics.

## FAQs
### Q: What is the difference between a spaceplane and a spacecraft?
A: A spaceplane is a hybrid vehicle that can operate in both Earth's atmosphere and space, with the ability to land like an aircraft. A spacecraft is a broader category that includes vehicles designed for spaceflight but may not have atmospheric re-entry capabilities.

### Q: Which countries have developed spaceplanes?
A: The Soviet Union, United States, United Kingdom, Germany, and India have developed or proposed spaceplanes, including the Buran-class orbiter, Space Shuttle, Skylon, Sänger, and Avatar.

### Q: What is the most famous spaceplane?
A: The Space Shuttle orbiter is one of the most famous spaceplanes, having been used for multiple missions in the 1980s and 1990s.

### Q: Can spaceplanes be reused?
A: Yes, many spaceplanes are designed for reusability, such as the Space Shuttle and Dream Chaser, to reduce costs and improve efficiency.

### Q: What is the difference between a spaceplane and a rocket?
A: A spaceplane is an aircraft-like vehicle that can transition from atmospheric flight to spaceflight, while a rocket is typically a single-use vehicle designed for spaceflight without atmospheric re-entry capabilities.

## Why It Matters
Spaceplanes represent a significant advancement in spaceflight technology by combining the efficiency of aircraft with the capabilities of spacecraft. They offer a reusable and cost-effective means of accessing space, potentially revolutionizing space exploration and commercial spaceflight. The development of spaceplanes has driven innovations in propulsion, heat shielding, and re-entry technologies, contributing to the broader field of aerospace engineering. Notable achievements include the Space Shuttle program, which demonstrated the feasibility of reusable spaceflight, and ongoing projects like the Dream Chaser and Space Rider, which aim to provide reliable and affordable access to space. Spaceplanes also play a crucial role in military and scientific applications, enabling rapid deployment of satellites and conducting experiments in microgravity. Their ability to land like conventional aircraft offers a safer and more sustainable approach to space travel, paving the way for future advancements in space exploration and commercialization.

## Notable For
- The Space Shuttle orbiter was the first operational reusable spaceplane, used for multiple missions in the 1980s and 1990s.
- The Dream Chaser is an American reusable automated cargo spaceplane designed for commercial resupply missions to the International Space Station.
- The Boeing X-37B Orbital Test Vehicle is an uncrewed military spaceplane used for classified missions.
- The Soviet Buran-class orbiter was a reusable spacecraft component of the Energia-Buran vehicle, with only one uncrewed test flight.
- The ESA's Hermes was a proposed spaceplane designed for crewed missions, but the project was canceled in 1992.

## Body
### Definition and Characteristics
A spaceplane is an aircraft capable of spaceflight, combining the features of both aircraft and spacecraft. It is designed to operate in Earth's atmosphere and outer space, with the ability to reach orbit or perform suborbital flights. Spaceplanes are typically reusable, allowing for cost-effective access to space.

### Historical Development
The concept of spaceplanes dates back to the early 20th century, with early designs emerging from the Soviet Union, United States, and other countries. Notable early spaceplanes include the Soviet BOR-4 series, which tested heat shield technologies, and the German Sänger spaceplane, designed in the 1960s-1995.

### Notable Examples
- **Space Shuttle Orbiter**: The most famous spaceplane, used for multiple missions in the 1980s and 1990s.
- **Dream Chaser**: An American reusable automated cargo spaceplane designed for commercial resupply missions.
- **Boeing X-37B**: An uncrewed military spaceplane used for classified missions.
- **Buran-class Orbiter**: A Soviet reusable spacecraft component of the Energia-Buran vehicle.
- **Skylon**: A proposed single-stage-to-orbit spaceplane developed by the UK.

### Technological Innovations
Spaceplanes have driven advancements in propulsion, heat shielding, and re-entry technologies. They offer a reusable and cost-effective means of accessing space, potentially revolutionizing space exploration and commercial spaceflight.

### Applications
Spaceplanes are used for various applications, including military missions, scientific research, and commercial spaceflight. They enable rapid deployment of satellites and conducting experiments in microgravity.

### Future Prospects
Ongoing projects like the Dream Chaser and Space Rider aim to provide reliable and affordable access to space. The development of spaceplanes continues to push the boundaries of aerospace engineering and pave the way for future advancements in space exploration.

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  "@context": "https://schema.org",
  "@type": "Thing",
  "name": "Spaceplane",
  "description": "An airplane capable of space flight, combining the characteristics of both aircraft and spacecraft.",
  "sameAs": ["https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q12345", "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spaceplane"],
  "additionalType": "Aircraft"
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## References

1. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
2. United States Naval Aviation 1910-2010 Volume II Statistics
3. KBpedia