Star-Raker is a giant HTHL SSTO spaceplane purposed by Rockwell International to create a network of solar power satellites. Early studies by Rockwell indicated that a Horizontal Takeoff, Horizontal Landing (HTHL) single-stage-to-orbit (SSTO) spacecraft was not possible and a HTHL two-stage-to-orbit (TSTO) design was better, but changed their minds by the late 1970s with new materials and the "wet wing" design. Star-raker was said to have carried double the payload of the Boeing Reusable Aerodynamic Space Vehicle concept for a HTHL SSTO spacecraft.
Configuration[]
Engines[]
It had three sets of engines; jets, main engines and orbital maneuvering engines. It was planned to have made over a thousand flights a year (almost every eight hours). They would land at any airport in the US, restock cargo and launch again.
Cargo Bay[]
Unlike the shuttle, the cargo bay was behind the cabin, and the entire nose and cockpit would swivel to the right and release the cargo. This is the position it would have been in if it docked to a space station, requiring the pilot to look out the left window to see.
Gallery[]
A gallery of Star-Raker related images.
