A spaceplane is a vehicle that can fly and glide like an aircraft in Earth's atmosphere and maneuver like a spacecraft in outer space. To do so, spaceplanes must incorporate features of both aircraft and spacecraft. Orbital spaceplanes tend to be more similar to conventional spacecraft, while sub-orbital spaceplanes tend to be more similar to fixed-wing aircraft. All spaceplanes to date have been rocket-powered for takeoff and climb, but have then landed as unpowered gliders.
Space Shuttle Discovery
Dream Chaser test vehicle.
Landing of Space Shuttle Atlantis, a crewed orbital spaceplane
Dream Chaser is an American reusable lifting-body spaceplane developed by Sierra Space. Originally intended as a crewed vehicle, the Dream Chaser Space System is set to be produced after the Dream Chaser Cargo System cargo variant is operational. The crewed variant is planned to carry up to seven people and cargo to and from low Earth orbit.
Dream Chaser engineering test article, being driven along the runway after an atmospheric test.
Prototype of the X-20 Dyna Soar - a spacecraft the Dream Chaser spaceplane is based on
Dream Chaser model being tested at NASA Langley, aboard an Atlas V mock-up.