Rising Sun

The Rising Sun is a fully-reusable, single stage-to-orbit spaceplane that is in the final design stages and is slated to be operated by the Tiejungo National Space Program starting in 1574. The spaceplane is powered by a combined-cycle, air-breathing rocket propulsion system, potentially reusable for 200 flights. The total project cost is expected to be around $12 billion, with a 70/30 split between the government and various corporations supporting the cost.

Design

The vehicle design is for a hydrogen-fueled aircraft that would take off from a conventional runway, and accelerate to Mach 5.4 at 26 kilometers (16 mi) altitude using the atmosphere's oxygen before switching the engines to use the internal liquid oxygen (LOX) supply to take it into orbit. Once in orbit it would release its payload of up to 15 tonnes. The vehicle will be unpiloted, but also be certified to carry passengers. All payloads could be carried in a standardized container compartment. The relatively light vehicle would then reenter the atmosphere and land on a runway, being protected from the conditions of reentry by a ceramic composite skin. When on the ground it would undergo inspection and necessary maintenance. If the design goal is achieved, it should be ready to fly again within two days.

Specification

General characteristics

• Crew: None, remote controlled from ground
• Capacity: Potential for up to 30 passengers (in a special passenger module)
• Payload: 15,000 kg (33,000 lb)
• Length: 83.3 m (273 ft)
• Wingspan: 25.4 m (82 ft)
• Powerplant: 2 × synergistic combined cycle jet engine, 1,350 kN (300,000 lbf) each