Saenger-Horus spaceplane, artwork

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Saenger-Horus spaceplane at the separation altitude of 37 kilometers, artwork. This design was part of work carried out in the 1980s and 1990s by Deutsche Aerospace based on designs by Austrian-German engineer Eugen Saenger (1905-1964). The Saenger spaceplane is carrying the smaller HORUS (Hypersonic Orbital Reusable Upper Stage) space shuttle. This system was designed to provide an inexpensive method of launching astronauts and cargo into space. Powered by jet engines, it would take off from a normal runway, climb to separation altitude, and release the HORUS which would use rockets to propel itself into orbit.

Detlev van Ravenswaay / Science Source

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