Asonic aerospike engine

1. A space plane, comprising:

a main body;

an aerospike engine attached to the main body; and

a bell-shaped nozzle primary thrust engine attached to the main body.

2. The space plane of claim 1 , wherein the aerospike engine includes a tapered body and a slanted reaction plane on the tapered body, further comprising means for increasing propulsive pressure on the reaction plane.

3. The space plane of claim 1 , wherein the aerospike engine further comprises means for inhibiting boundary layer separation.

4. A method of operating a space vehicle having a tapered engine body which has a slanted reaction plane, comprising:

firing the engine;

extending a length of the reaction plane at a predetermined time; and

removing decelerated boundary layer fluid from a boundary layer while the reaction plane is extended.

5. The method of claim 4 , wherein the decelerated boundary layer fluid is removed by using slits in an extended portion of the reaction plane.

6. The method of claim 4 , further comprising selectively adapting a length of the reaction plane.

7. The method of claim 4 , further comprising selectively adapting a thrust of the engine while the space vehicle is in flight.

8. The method of claim 4 , wherein the space plane includes a bell-shaped nozzle main thrust engine and further comprising firing the bell-shaped nozzle main thrust engine essentially simultaneously with the engines.

9. The method of claim 4 , wherein the space plane includes a bell-shaped nozzle main thrust engine, further comprising firing the bell-shaped nozzle main thrust engine once the space plane reaches outer space.