Difference between revisions of "Spaceplane"
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Some more noted spaceplanes used throughout [[Charted Space]] include:<br> | Some more noted spaceplanes used throughout [[Charted Space]] include:<br> | ||
''Spaceplanes:'' | ''Spaceplanes:'' | ||
+ | # [[Colossus class Heavy Lander]] | ||
# [[Daytona class Orbital Fighter/Interceptor]] | # [[Daytona class Orbital Fighter/Interceptor]] | ||
+ | # [[Fearless class Assault Transport]] | ||
# [[Melbourne class Hypersonic Suborbital Liner]] | # [[Melbourne class Hypersonic Suborbital Liner]] | ||
# [[Omicron class Heavy Lander]] | # [[Omicron class Heavy Lander]] |
Revision as of 19:17, 29 April 2019
A Spaceplane is an Interfacecraft, a craft designed to operate well in both an atmosphere and in the vacuum.
- It is a kind of vehicle that is both an aircraft and spacecraft rolled into one.
- It is a type of flying vehicle.
Description (Specifications)
An Interfacecraft is a kind of vehicle or technological device, intended to convey sophonts from one location to another.
- It conveys its passengers and cargo between the mediums of a planetary atmosphere and the vacuum of near orbit.
Selected Spaceplanes
Some more noted spaceplanes used throughout Charted Space include:
Spaceplanes:
- Colossus class Heavy Lander
- Daytona class Orbital Fighter/Interceptor
- Fearless class Assault Transport
- Melbourne class Hypersonic Suborbital Liner
- Omicron class Heavy Lander
- Reno class Hypersonic Fighter/Interceptor
History & Background (Dossier)
Many technologists do not consider spaceplanes viable until the TL:7-9 technological epoch, and even then it can be dicey. Other technologists claim that prototype spaceplanes may be possible within the TL:4-6 tech epoch.
Expected Technological Progression of Spaceplanes
- Rocket → Aircraft → Shuttle → Spaceplane → G-Carrier → Advanced G-Carrier
Technological Overview of Spaceplanes
TL:4-6:
While rockets are generally possible within this tech epoch, Spaceplanes are generally too dangerous and reliable at this stage.
TL:7-9:
Most sophont societies first reach space using multiple stage rockets and the idea of SSTO (Single Stage to Orbit or a Spaceplane) spaceflight remains an elusive goal for many TL:7-9 sophont societies. Early prototype gravcraft simply lack the performance to achieve orbital breakout on all but the smallest of planets. And the efficiencies of transatmospheric flight using multiple stage launches is hard to beat with period engineering.
TL:10-12:
By the TL:10-12 tech epoch, gravitics enables and complicates the spaceplane's construction. It also blurs the pictures as air/rafts and G-carriers can achieve the same thing (air-space performance) although often with lesser performance envelopes.
TL:13-15:
By the TL:13-15 tech epoch, the performance of Z-Drives, advanced speeders, high performance G-Carriers, and more capable technology effectively makes all craft capable spaceplanes. The difference between planetary atmospheric and orbital vacuum flight becomes moot and the term begins to disappear from vocabularies and textbooks.
TL:16-18:
It is projected that nearly all vehicles and crafts will have spaceplane capabilities in this technological epoch. Many estimate that Gravitic Control Technology will be relatively cheap and widely available by this time.
References & Contributors (Sources)
- Marc Miller. Imperial Encyclopedia (Game Designers Workshop, 1987), TBD.
- Terrance McInnes. COACC (Game Designers Workshop, 1989), TBD.
- Traveller Wiki Editorial Team
- Author & Contributor: Lord (Marquis) and Master of Sophontology Maksim-Smelchak of the Ministry of Science