SPACEPLANE

Spaceplane

A spaceplane is a vehicle that operates as an aircraft in Earth's atmosphere, as well as a spacecraft when it is in space. It combines features of an aircraft and a spacecraft, which can be thought of as an aircraft that can endure and maneuver in the vacuum of space or likewise a spacecraft that can fly like an airplane. Typically, it takes the form of a spacecraft equipped with wings, although lifting bodies have been designed and tested as well. The propulsion to reach space may be purely rocket based or may use the assistance of air-breathing engines.

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spaceplane

Noun

  1. A rocket plane designed to pass the edge of space, combining certain features of aircraft and spacecraft.


The above text is a snippet from Wiktionary: spaceplane
and as such is available under the Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License.

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