Our spaceliner will remotely land back at its point of origin, that is, back at Spaceport America. Since our shuttle is acting more like a spaceliner, then then the same question must be asked: what happens if and when the the landing has to be diverted?
The alternate landing site locations (Chapter 3.2.2: Bingo Sites) have been previously discussed. A safe landing can be conducted relatively easy at these locations.
So how do we get the VentureStar spaceliner back home to Spaceport America?
It is way too large to transport piggyback style the way the US Space Shuttle had been ferried. The spaceliner cannot fly back because there are no engines and jet fuel tanks.
The obvious solution is to attach a set of jet engines, the jet fuel tanks, and all of the assorted hardware and plumbing needed for atmospheric flight.
The spaceliner will have one CF6 Turbofan jet engine (see Image 1) bolted underneath each wing (see Image 2). A large tank will be bolted to the bottom of the VentureStar airframe, and filled with JP–5 jet fuel.
The VentureStar spaceliner can then be ferried home like any ordinary drone aircraft.
The alternate landing site locations (Chapter 3.2.2: Bingo Sites) have been previously discussed. A safe landing can be conducted relatively easy at these locations.
So how do we get the VentureStar spaceliner back home to Spaceport America?
It is way too large to transport piggyback style the way the US Space Shuttle had been ferried. The spaceliner cannot fly back because there are no engines and jet fuel tanks.
The obvious solution is to attach a set of jet engines, the jet fuel tanks, and all of the assorted hardware and plumbing needed for atmospheric flight.
The spaceliner will have one CF6 Turbofan jet engine (see Image 1) bolted underneath each wing (see Image 2). A large tank will be bolted to the bottom of the VentureStar airframe, and filled with JP–5 jet fuel.
_CF6-80C2K1F_at_Gifu_Air_Base_20141123.jpg) |
| Image 1: The mighty CF6 Turbofan jet engine |
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| Image 2: VentureStar with jet engines attached |
The vehicle will have to carry some internal plumbing along into orbit as a penalty for the advantage of ferrying it back home. We feel it is a small price to pay for ease of operations.
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