spaceplane

The engine that the Skylon space plan uses is called the Reaction Engine Limited, and this new space plane engine is considered to be a major leap forward in aeronautics technology.

A spaceplane is a vehicle that can fly and glide like an aircraft in Earth's atmosphere and maneuver like a spacecraft in outer space. To do so, spaceplanes must incorporate features of both aircraft and spacecraft.

A space shuttle carries a manned space vehicles which will primarily transport them into orbit for the segments of the international space station

A tipical space shuttle consists of a reusable delta-winged spaceplane,called an orbiter; two solid-propellant booster rockets, which are recovered and also reused in futuer missions.there is also an expendable tank containing liquid propellants for the obiters three main engines

In 1969, President Richard Nixon decided to support proceeding with Space Shuttle development. A series of development programs and analysis refined the basic design, prior to full development and testing. In August 1973, the X-24B proved that an unpowered spaceplane could re-enter Earth's atmosphere for a horizontal landing.

The person in charge of designing the STS had also overseen the Mercury, Gemini, and Apollo spacecraft designs. The first of four orbital test flights occurred in 1981, leading to operational flights beginning in 1982. It was used on a total of 135 missions from 1981 to 2011.