China plans world’s biggest Spaceplane read more at here www.spinonews.com/index.php/item/1158-china-plans-world-s-biggest-spaceplane

According to a report by New Scientist,A Chinese company is building the world's biggest spaceplane  that would carry up to 20 tourists.

China Academy of Launch Vehicle Technology announced plans at the International Astronautical Congress in Guadalajara, Mexico.

They have designed a winged rocket that takes off under its own power. That sets it apart from SpaceShipTwo, which must be carried to high altitude by an aircraft before firing its own rocket.

The company has designed two versions of the plane: a 10-tonne design that could carry five people to an altitude of 100 kilometers, and a 100-tonne version that would carry up to 20 passengers to an altitude of 130 kilometers. Both versions would be reusable, and the larger plane would be able to put small satellites into orbit, as well.

[Image Source: New Scientist ]

The vehicle will take off vertically like a rocket and land on the runway automatically without any ground or on-board intervention,” team leader Han Pengxin told New Scientist, adding that the plane can be used up to 50 times. It will burn liquid methane and liquid oxygen.

 

Read: China Launches World's Largest Radio Telescope To Look For Aliens

Team leader Han Pengxin tells New Scientist that ground tests are nearly finished, and that he expects test flights to be completed “in the next two years.” Han expects payload launches to begin by 2020, and if proven to be safe, the spaceplane could carry passengers for about $200,000 to $250,000 per ride.