Aerospace Aircraft: Technological Breakthroughs and Global Progress

Aerospace vehicles, as a fusion of aerospace technologies, have varying definitions across different dictionaries. Both the NASA Aerospace Technical Terms Dictionary and the McGraw-Hill Dictionary of Scientific and Technical Terms interpret them as "a type of aircraft capable of flying freely within and beyond the sensible atmosphere," meaning aircraft with dual aviation and aerospace capabilities. On a commercial level, the development and application of aerospace vehicles will significantly reduce transportation costs between airspace and space. It is expected that their transportation costs will drop to one-fifth of those of space shuttles, or even lower. This is attributed to multiple technological breakthroughs, including efficient utilization of oxygen in the atmosphere, overall reuse of aircraft, and simplification of takeoff and landing procedures. Furthermore, aerospace vehicles can also perform tasks such as resupplying personnel, materials, and fuel to space systems like space stations, providing on-orbit services, and supporting emerging businesses like space tourism.

In the military field, aerospace vehicles, with their ability to fly freely both inside and outside the atmosphere, are expected to evolve into new types of aerospace bombers, fighters, and transport aircraft. Their combat range will cover the entire globe and even near-earth space, with the capability to quickly penetrate ground defense systems and conduct precise strikes against land, sea, and air targets. At the same time, aerospace vehicles can also be deployed in space for extended periods, posing a threat to enemy satellites, spacecraft, and even space stations. Simple robotic arm equipment can enable them to capture enemy satellites, while when equipped with missiles, they will become standard space fighters.