Rocketplane(From DOC report, Oct 2002)
| Vehicle: | Pioneer XP | |
| Developer: | Pioneer Rocketplane | |
The Pathfinder XP operates similar to an aircraft, taking off and landing horizontally with existing jet engines, and operating out of, and integrating with, conventional airports and the current air traffic control system. The Pathfinder XP is powered by two jet engines and two rocket engines, enabling it to reach altitudes of 66 miles (106 km).
| Concept of Operations | |
| Payload Capability: | 2-4 passengers/ 440-880 lbs |
The Pathfinder XP takes off from a conventional airport with its two jet engines. At a given altitude, the rocket engines are ignited, and the vehicle climbs towards its peak trajectory. About four minutes of 0.0001 g or less are available at the peak of the trajectory. The vehicle returns to the airport under the power of its jet engines.
| Logistics | |
| Turnaround Time: | 1 week or less |
| Potential Launch Sites: | Initially Oklahoma. Goal is to use any conventional runway. |
| Configuration-Airframe | |
| No. Crew: | 2 |
| Length: | 46 ft |
| Wingspan: | 26 ft |
| Gross Weight: | 32,250 lb |
| Propellant Weight: | 7,765 lb Kerosene/10,873 lb LOX |
| Propellant Type: | Kerosene/LOX |
| Configuration-Engine | |
| Jet Engines: | Number: 2, Turbojet, J85-15 or J85-21, Sea Level Thrust: 4,000 lb |
| Rocket Engines: | Number: 2, (In development), Sea Level Thrust: ~12,000 lb |
Growth Options
Pathfinder XP will lead to the Pathfinder vehicle, which will deliver payloads to low earth orbit.
The Space Adventures sub-orbital spaceflight program [link to 1.2] may use the Pathfinder XP sub-orbital vehicle, or other vehicles as they become available.
