Skylon (spacecraft) - Specifications (Skylon C2)

Specifications (Skylon C2)

Data from the Skylon User Manual

General characteristics

• Crew: None, remote controlled from ground.
• Capacity: Potential for up to 30 passengers (in a special passenger module)
• Payload: 15,000 kg (33,000 lb)
• Length: 83.3 m (273 ft)
• Wingspan: 25.4 m (82 ft)
• Height:
• Empty weight: 53,000 kg (120,000 lb)
• Loaded weight: 345,000 kg (760,000 lb)
• Powerplant: 2 × SABRE synergistic combined cycle jet engine, 1,350 kN (300,000 lbf) each

Performance

• Maximum speed: Orbital (airbreathing Mach 5.5)
• Service ceiling: 26,000 m air breathing, >200 km exoatmospheric (85,000 ft air breathing, >124 mi exoatmospheric)
• Thrust/weight: ~1.2 – 3 at burnout (~0.768 atmospheric)
• Fuselage diameter: 6.75 m (22.15 ft)
• Specific impulse: 3500 s (35 kN·s/kg) atmospheric, 450 s (4.5 kN·s/kg) exoatmospheric
• SABRE engine thrust/weight ratio: up to 14 atmospheric