Next up, another classic design from the fertile mind of Phil Bono, the Hyperion.
This is a large single stage to orbit (SSTO) design, which can launch via a rocket sled, (should there be a convenient nearby 1 mile high mountain, anyway).
This makes it a very unusual combination of horizontal launch and vertical landing. Of the top of my head, I can’t think of another example of this.
Here’s a more detailed view of the main craft:
Note the twin decks labelled “3” in the diagram – these hold 55 people each when it is in passenger mode! And the plug nozzle engine also serves as a heat shield when it re-enters rear end first.
Modelling has only started, here’s what I have so far.
The tricky bit will be getting a convincing sense of scale I reckon.
