Rocket-powered aircraft

A rocket-powered aircraft or rocket plane is an <a href="/facts/Aircraft/EhC4mBep">aircraft</a> that uses a <a href="/facts/Rocket_engine/XT5gaFAb">rocket engine</a> for <a href="/facts/Propulsion/xTuW8Fw2">propulsion</a>, sometimes in addition to <a href="/facts/Airbreathing_jet_engine/LmtmX4RW">airbreathing jet engines</a>. Rocket planes can achieve much higher speeds than similarly sized jet aircraft, but typically for at most a few minutes of powered operation, followed by a <a href="/facts/Gliding_flight/2f9Lawgc">gliding flight</a>. Unhindered by the need for <a href="/facts/Oxygen/acyn6o8r">oxygen</a> from the <a href="/facts/Atmosphere/oUpLaGRF">atmosphere</a>, they are suitable for very high-altitude flight. They are also capable of delivering much higher acceleration and shorter takeoffs. Many rocket aircraft may be <a href="/facts/Drop_test/W4YFVaqF">drop launched</a> from transport planes, as take-off from ground may leave them with insufficient time to reach high altitudes.
<a href="/facts/Rocket/b6j4keIl">Rockets</a> have been used simply to assist the main propulsion in the form of <a href="/facts/JATO/vGdDJa9L">jet assisted take off</a> (JATO) also known as rocket-assisted takeoff (<a href="/facts/JATO/vGdDJa9L">RATO</a> or <a href="/facts/JATO/vGdDJa9L">RATOG</a>). Not all rocket planes are of the conventional takeoff like "normal" aircraft. Some types have been air-launched from another plane, while other types have taken off vertically – nose in the air and tail to the ground ("<a href="/facts/Tail-sitter/P2apcDzQ">tail-sitters</a>").
Because of the use of heavy propellants and other practical difficulties of operating rockets, the majority of rocket planes have been built for experimental or research use, as <a href="/facts/Interceptor_aircraft/HhjPMdnf">interceptor</a> fighters and <a href="/facts/Spaceplane/oMJNJPy7">space aircraft</a>.

Rocket-powered aircraft open-in-new

Rocket-powered aircraft