Junkers Saenger I

Precursor to the Saenger II spaceplane launch system, the Saenger I was a sled launched two stage vehicle designed to carry cargo and personel into low Earth orbit. Both stages were of a delta-wing planform and were aerodynamically optimized for their respective flight regimes. The first stage, or the carrier vehicle, would have a high-mounted delta-wing with drooping wingtips to gain compression lift characteristics similar to the XB-70 at high speeds. The orbital and reentry vehicle would be the upper stage. Since the vehicle would reenter the Earths atmosphere at high Mach, a low-mounted wing covered in ablative with upwards wingtips would necessary. Similar to the Saenger II, this design would never be developed past scale models.

To LAUNCH the vehicle, switch to the sled with key "[" and activate AG 1. This will ignite the SRB and begin pushing the vehicle down the runway. Quickly switch back to the Saenger I vehicle with "]" and activate AG 1 again. This will activate the first stage's rocket. Set to full throttle. The vehicle will be able to rotate off the sled as the SRB burns out within the last quarter of runway.

To STAGE the Saenger I vehicle, wait until the first stage burns out. The first stage is capable of gliding back to the space center without propellant, but saving some is not a bad idea. On burnout, activate AG 3. This will detach the orbiter. Switch to the orbiter with key "[". Set full throttle and rotate away from the carrier vehicle.

The Saeger I launch system is nominally capable of carrying a 500 ton payload to low orbit. By default, a 500 ton dummy payload is in the orbiter's bay. Removing this payload will make the launch system RSS capable. On 1:1 solar systems, the vehicle is capable of 50 tons to LEO. On 1:5, 500 tons.