Single-stage-to-orbit (SSTO) is a term used for space vehicles designed to achieve orbit without the use of staging, or detaching parts of themselves on the way. In the real world no such spacecraft has been built, remaining limited to studies and proposals.
History[]
Strangereal[]
At least one SSTO shuttle is in use by the Osean Federation's space program. It can carry both a crew and a payload as far as low earth orbit and uses a mass driver to launch. In the midst of the Circum-Pacific War this vehicle ferried a laser weapon module to the Arkbird, nearly being destroyed during its launch from the Basset Space Center on October 3, 2010 by the Yuktobanian military. The efforts of the Osean Air Defense Force's Wardog Squadron allowed it to exit the atmosphere safely.[1]
Towards the end of the year, the SSTO was used to transport a V2 warhead to the Strategic Orbital Linear Gun.[2]
During the Lighthouse War, two SSTO shuttles loaded with ammunition were launched from a Mass Driver located on Tyler Island in Usea to resupply the Arsenal Bird. Both shuttles were shot down by the Long Range Strategic Strike Group before they could enter the warship's air defense network.[3]
Assault Horizon universe[]
A single-stage-to-orbit vehicle known as "Armstrong" is known to be in operation.[4]
Infinity universe[]
There is at least one confirmed SSTO launch from the West Indies a few days before Operation Fogbound took place, as stated by Goodfellow.[5]
Gallery[]
SSTO shuttles in Tyler Island
Trivia[]
- The SSTO shuttles appear to be the VentureStar type of shuttle.