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 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) has 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.
So we will 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 bolted underneath each wing (Image A). 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) has 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.
So we will 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 bolted underneath each wing (Image A). A large tank will be bolted to the bottom of the VentureStar airframe, and filled with JP–5 jet fuel.
 |
| Image A: VentureStar with jet engines attached |
::