Seattle-based aerospace company Radian Aerospace is preparing to revolutionize long-distance travel with its groundbreaking spaceplane, the Radian One. This single-stage-to-orbit vehicle promises to transform how we travel across the globe and access low Earth orbit, combining the convenience of aircraft with the capabilities of spacecraft.
The Radian One’s headline-grabbing specification is its astonishing top speed of approximately 18,000 mph (Mach 22.5), making it over ten times faster than the iconic Concorde, which cruised at about 1,350 mph.
At such velocities, the spaceplane can complete a full orbit of Earth in just 95 minutes, allowing passengers to circle our planet three times in less than five hours. More practically, point-to-point travel becomes remarkably efficient—journeys like New York to Sydney could potentially be completed in under an hour.
Unlike traditional rockets that launch vertically, the Radian One takes off horizontally from conventional runways using an innovative rocket-powered rail sled system. This two-mile-long sled accelerates the vehicle to an initial 537 mph before the spaceplane’s own propulsion systems take over, carrying it into low Earth orbit. This approach allows the vehicle to land on standard commercial runways at least 10,000 feet in length, making it compatible with major airports worldwide.
The spaceplane’s capacity is relatively modest compared to commercial airliners, accommodating between two and five crew members. However, its payload capabilities are impressive for a reusable spacecraft, with the ability to transport up to 2,270 kilograms (5,000 pounds) to orbit and return with twice that weight—up to 4,540 kilograms (10,000 pounds). The spacious payload bay measures approximately 5.2 meters in length, with widths varying from 3.8 to 5.6 meters and heights between 2.7 and 4.0 meters.
One of the Radian One’s most revolutionary aspects is its reusability. While traditional space vehicles often require extensive refurbishment between missions, Radian Aerospace aims for a rapid 48-hour turnaround time.
Each vehicle is designed for at least 100 missions, potentially more, significantly reducing the cost per flight. The company claims they can prepare the spaceplane for flight in just 90 minutes—an extraordinary achievement for a spacecraft.
Comparing the Radian One to Boom Supersonic’s Overture, another next-generation high-speed aircraft in development, reveals the dramatic leap in capabilities Radian is pursuing. The Boom Overture aims to reach speeds of Mach 1.7 (about 1,300 mph)—slightly slower than the Concorde but with greater efficiency and lower operating costs. While impressive by conventional aviation standards, the Overture remains firmly subsonic compared to the Radian One’s hypersonic, orbital capabilities. However, the Overture will likely enter commercial service sooner and carry more passengers (65-80) than the Radian One’s maximum of five.
Radian Aerospace has already begun testing with its PFV01 prototype, a scaled-down version that has completed initial taxiing trials. The full design was unveiled in April 2024, though no firm timeline for commercial operations has been announced. When operational, the Radian One promises to revolutionize not just space tourism but global logistics, potentially enabling cargo delivery anywhere on Earth within an hour.
