Kankoh-maru

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The Kankoh-maru is the name of a vertical takeoff and landing, single-stage to orbit, reusable launch vehicle family of rockets, and the spacecraft tour vehicle designed to be boosted by said rocket. Although there are no flying models yet, the cone-shaped spacecraft is designed to carry up to fifty passengers to a Low Earth Orbit or intercontinental destination.

Both the rocket and spacecraft would be manufactured by Kawasaki; the concept was created by the Japanese Rocket Society.

The name Kanko-maru is derived from the first steam-powered vessel in Edo-era Japan.

[edit] References

• Encyclopedia Astronautica entry
• Kankoh-maru Flight Manual
• Status Report on Space Tour Vehicle "Kankoh-maru" of Japanese Rocket Society
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