New Rocket-Plane Launch System Announced!

In this announcement, Rainier Aerospace is happy to announce that their 2nd rocket-plane design & space launch system has officially entered active development. The new launch system has been named the "Eagle", and is more than double the size of the Endeavor rocket-plane. The Eagle will utilize the same powerplant as the Endeavor; x5 Atmos RP-1/Kerolox liquid-fuel rocket engines. While the design is still VERY early & crude, current simulations have revealed that the Eagle will possess some very promising orbital lifting capabilities that far excel that of the Endeavor, and may be able to lift payloads to at least a 1,000km orbit under $10 million. Again, still too early to tell for sure, but the design has incredible potential, to the point it may be able to qualify as an SSTO. It may even be able to fit a cargo bay on the Eagle itself, and deploy payloads without a 2nd stage OMV.

Upcoming Tests

Rainier's Orbitz rocket engine that is designed specifically for 2nd stage OMV's & flight in the vacuum of space, is due for it's first live test-fire. The Orbitz's development has been fairly rocky, as Rainier was trying to squeeze every bit of performance & power out of the engine, all while achieving as much efficiency as possible. It's first test fire has also been delayed due to Rainier's other priorities, but it looks like it will happen as soon as this weekend.

After the Orbitz test fire, Rainier's 2nd test mission will be an abort parachutes test for the Endeavor's 2nd Stage OMV, where Rainier's mighty Boeing 747-400 air-launcher will deploy the OMV unpowered and test the deployment of the abort parachutes.

After these two tests, the Rainier Endeavor will be due for it's first powered runway launch (without the OMV), where it will fly to ultra-high altitudes until it's RP-1 Kerolox rocket-fuel is depleted, and will glide back to the airport/launch facility (most likely Vandenberg AFB realistically IRL since Moses Lake, Rainier's HQ & home-airport, is land-locked).

That's all for this update! Stay tuned for the next major update, which will most likely be the public unveiling of the Eagle design. Have a fantastic day!