[Spaceships] Winged Spaceships

[Anthony]

Originally Posted by scc

From what I understand Jet engines are supposed to help in cases like this

The short answer to that is 'not at TL 8, and only maybe at higher tech levels'. Regular jets have a maximum atmospheric velocity that's only 15-20% of the delta-V required for orbit, and there are quite substantial costs to adding a jet engine.

Originally Posted by scc

If I switch to a X15-B inspired design things get a little better, but part of my problem is that one of the worlds I'm working with has a higher escape velocity then Earth

Then use HEDM rockets, nuclear-thermal, or laser launch; conventional rockets are hopeless.