The VentureStar is envisioned to be the space delivery system of the
21st century. It will deliver a wide range of payloads to orbit more
reliably and less expensively than today’s launch vehicles. Between
flights VentureStar simply undergoes inspection, refueling, and
reloading.
The VentureStar will be 15,2m long, 4,6m wide, 4,6m deep (50 x
15 x 15 feet). The target is to carry 25 000 kg (56,000 pounds) to low
Earth orbit (LEO), and 8 000 kg (18,000 pounds) to geosynchronous
transfer orbit, roughly equivalent to those of the Space Shuttle.
VentureStar will reach approximately 28 000 kph (17,500 mph) or greater
than Mach 25 to reach Earth orbit, using the linear aerospike engine.
This is the speed required for any space vehicle to stay in orbit. The
linear aerospike engine has several performance benefits over
conventional rocket engines. Initially designed and tested for use on
the Space Shuttle in the 1970s, officials decided to develop another
design, known as the Space Shuttle Main Engine.
Source:interestingtopics.net
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