Difference between revisions of "Spaceplane"

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m (→‎Without an atmosphere: +why landing gear is problematic; *changed weight with mass and inertia; -you;)
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[[File:Aeris 4A in orbit 2.png|thumb|A spaceplane, the [[Aeris 4A]], in orbit]]
 
[[File:Aeris 4A in orbit 2.png|thumb|A spaceplane, the [[Aeris 4A]], in orbit]]
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A '''spaceplane''' is a hybrid of a [[plane]] and a [[rocket]], capable of both flying in an atmosphere using [[wing]]s, and moving outside of it using [[reaction engine]]s.
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A '''spaceplane''' is a hybrid of a [[plane]] and a [[rocket]] capable of atmospheric flight with [[wing]]s and spaceflight with [[reaction engine]]s.
  
 
== Construction ==
 
== Construction ==
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Spaceplanes are usually built in the [[Space Plane Hangar]] and launched from the [[runway]], although some are launched from the [[launchpad]], often using a rocket to get it into space.
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Spaceplanes are usually built in the [[Space Plane Hangar]] and launched from the [[runway]], and some are launched from the [[launchpad]]--often with a rocket reaching space.
  
 
Various pre-built [[stock craft|stock spaceplanes]] are available, although only the [[Aeris 4A]] has the means to reach space.
 
Various pre-built [[stock craft|stock spaceplanes]] are available, although only the [[Aeris 4A]] has the means to reach space.
  
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=== Propulsion methods ===
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=== Propulsion ===
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Commonly [[jet engine]]s are used for fuel efficient propulsion in the [[atmosphere]]s of [[Kerbin]] and [[Laythe]]. In space or oxygen-free atmospheres, some kind of reaction engine has to be used. Sometimes jet engines are completely replaced by reaction engines to simplify construction, while still being able to propel the craft anywhere. However, a plane with only [[jet engine]]s cannot reach a stable orbit, because the engines will cease to work when leaving the atmosphere. It is still possible to achieve a high [[apoapsis]] though, as long as the acceleration takes place while still in the atmosphere.
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[[Jet engine]]s often efficiently propel in [[Kerbin]] and [[Laythe]]'s [[atmosphere]]s. In space or oxygen-free atmospheres, reaction engine is used. Reaction engines sometimes replace jet engines to simplify construction without restricting the craft to oxygenated atmosphere. A plane with only [[jet engine]]s cannot reach a stable orbit because its engines will shutdown beyond the atmosphere. Atmospheric acceleration can achieve high [[apoapsis]].
  
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=== Maneuvering methods ===
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=== Maneuvering ===
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Maneuvering inside any atmosphere is usually done using [[winglet]]s, [[control surface]]s and/or [[reaction wheel]]s, but [[RCS]] is also sometimes used in extreme situations. In space, maneuvering has to be done solely with RCS and reaction wheels. [[SAS]] is commonly used to keep a constant attitude while in atmosphere, as the spaceplane will otherwise keep tilting if the [[center of mass]] isn't exactly in the same position as the [[center of lift]].
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[[Winglet]]s, [[control surface]]s, or [[reaction wheel]]s enable atmospheric maneuvering, with [[RCS]] sometimes used in extreme situations. Winglets are useless in space. [[SAS]] is commonly maintains attitude while in atmosphere lest the spaceplane tilt if its [[center of mass]] is not at its [[center of lift]].
  
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=== Landing methods ===
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== Landing ==
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Landing is often done using only the landing gear, which was also used during takeoff. It is possible to use [[parachute]]s or rocket engines (such as the [[Sepratron I]]) to slow down, in addition to the gear's built-in brakes. However, in case of an emergency or lack of a good landing spot, the [[command module]] (if manned) can be separated, slowed down and landed safely using only parachutes. This requires a somewhat dense atmosphere though.
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Landing is most often done with only landing gear, which was also used during takeoff. [[Parachute]]s, rocket engines, and the gear's built-in brakes can slow the craft. During emergencies or beyond good landing spots, separating the [[command module]] and landing it with parachutes can save the crew in dense atmospheres.
  
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== Landing ==
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=== Runway ===
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=== On a runway ===
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Kerbin has two runways whereupon spaceplanes can land. The first is at [[KSC]], where most spaceplanes are also launched. It is long and wide.  If an approach fails, landing is still possible on the flat surrounding area. The second runway, at the [[Insular Airfield]], is a grass landing strip, much shorter and narrower than the KSC runway, impeding landing.
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On Kerbin, two runways exist on which spaceplanes can be landed. The first one is located at [[KSC]], where most spaceplanes are also launched. It is quite long and wide, and even if an approach fails, landing is still possible on the flat surrounding area. The second runway, located at the [[Insular Airfield]], is a grass landing strip, much shorter and narrower than the KSC runway, making it a more difficult target.
 
  
 
=== Elsewhere ===
 
=== Elsewhere ===
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Landing somewhere else than on a runway is possible if the terrain is flat enough. Most celestial bodies have rather flat areas, although one has to be careful not to head for occasional mountain ranges, cliffs or craters. The terrain on smaller bodies, especially on the [[Mun]], is usually rougher than on larger ones, making landings there more difficult.
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Any sufficiently flat terrain can be landed on. Most celestial bodies have among occasional mountain ranges, cliffs, or craters some flats. Smaller bodies' terrain, especially [[Mun]]'s, is usually rougher than larger ones', there impeding landing.
  
 
=== Without an atmosphere ===
 
=== Without an atmosphere ===
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Landing a spaceplane without an atmosphere is difficult compared to landing a conventional lander. The plane's wings increase inertia due to the added mass and they can break. Normal landing gears are difficult to land on due to their facing 90 degrees off of retrograde making hovering impossible. Landing on the normal gears can be done on Minmus for example, but is difficult for bodies with moderate gravity or higher. In most cases, either adding some small down-facing rockets, or some landing legs facing backward is necessary. It is also possible to design a plane with the cockpit built as a lander, and land it "Apollo-style" then return to orbit and dock with the winged half of the ship.
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Landing a spaceplane without an atmosphere is more difficult than landing within one. The plane's wings' mass increase inertia and can break. Normal landing gears cannot be vertically landed on because they face 90 degrees off retrograde. Landing difficult increases with gravity, usually requiring small vertical rockets or tail-mounted landing legs. A plane's cockpit can be a lander that returns to orbit and docks with its ship's winged part.
  
 
== Purposes ==
 
== Purposes ==
 
* Refueling [[space station]]s in orbit around Kerbin
 
* Refueling [[space station]]s in orbit around Kerbin
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* Landing on Kerbin with the possibility to reuse the craft
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* Landing on Kerbin with the possibility of reuse
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* Landing on and taking off from other bodies with an atmosphere, such as [[Laythe]], [[Duna]] or [[Eve]]
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* Landing on and ascending from such atmospheric bodies as [[Laythe]], [[Duna]] or [[Eve]]
  
 
== See also ==
 
== See also ==

Revision as of 02:16, 15 February 2014

A spaceplane, the Aeris 4A, in orbit

A spaceplane is a hybrid of a plane and a rocket capable of atmospheric flight with wings and spaceflight with reaction engines.

Construction

Spaceplanes are usually built in the Space Plane Hangar and launched from the runway, and some are launched from the launchpad--often with a rocket reaching space.

Various pre-built stock spaceplanes are available, although only the Aeris 4A has the means to reach space.

Propulsion

Jet engines often efficiently propel in Kerbin and Laythe's atmospheres. In space or oxygen-free atmospheres, reaction engine is used. Reaction engines sometimes replace jet engines to simplify construction without restricting the craft to oxygenated atmosphere. A plane with only jet engines cannot reach a stable orbit because its engines will shutdown beyond the atmosphere. Atmospheric acceleration can achieve high apoapsis.

Maneuvering

Winglets, control surfaces, or reaction wheels enable atmospheric maneuvering, with RCS sometimes used in extreme situations. Winglets are useless in space. SAS is commonly maintains attitude while in atmosphere lest the spaceplane tilt if its center of mass is not at its center of lift.

Landing

Landing is most often done with only landing gear, which was also used during takeoff. Parachutes, rocket engines, and the gear's built-in brakes can slow the craft. During emergencies or beyond good landing spots, separating the command module and landing it with parachutes can save the crew in dense atmospheres.

Runway

Kerbin has two runways whereupon spaceplanes can land. The first is at KSC, where most spaceplanes are also launched. It is long and wide. If an approach fails, landing is still possible on the flat surrounding area. The second runway, at the Insular Airfield, is a grass landing strip, much shorter and narrower than the KSC runway, impeding landing.

Elsewhere

Any sufficiently flat terrain can be landed on. Most celestial bodies have among occasional mountain ranges, cliffs, or craters some flats. Smaller bodies' terrain, especially Mun's, is usually rougher than larger ones', there impeding landing.

Without an atmosphere

Landing a spaceplane without an atmosphere is more difficult than landing within one. The plane's wings' mass increase inertia and can break. Normal landing gears cannot be vertically landed on because they face 90 degrees off retrograde. Landing difficult increases with gravity, usually requiring small vertical rockets or tail-mounted landing legs. A plane's cockpit can be a lander that returns to orbit and docks with its ship's winged part.

Purposes

  • Refueling space stations in orbit around Kerbin
  • Landing on Kerbin with the possibility of reuse
  • Landing on and ascending from such atmospheric bodies as Laythe, Duna or Eve

See also

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