What is the difference between a rocketplane and a normal air plane?

Question

What is the difference between a rocketplane and a normal air plane?

Answer 1

"Rocket planes" are propelled by rocket engines rather than the usual "air-breathing" engines that require an air intake.  The rocket engine uses oxygen from an on-board tank rather than drawing in air from the atmosphere.

Rocket planes can ascend to altitudes completely outside the atmosphere, which no piston or jet airplane can do, but they are very inefficient, and usually do not have the power from a standing start to take off from the ground.  Rocket planes are usually carried to a high altitude by a large airplane of some kind.

Rocket powered planes are very inefficient and are not suitable for travel; they are used for research missions.

In the late 1960s the X-15 rocket plane carried pilots into space so that they were awarded astronaut's wings.

For lots more information, do an Internet search on "X-planes" or "X-15."

Answer 2

It has been said that the first flight of airplanes could have been advanced by many years if the rocket engine had been employed. However, the Wrights had the insight to develop lift, control and their own power before any others.

Answer 3

A rocket carries it own supply of oxygen and fuel to burn and produce thrust.A jet engine sucks in air and compresses it,then adds fuel to burn and produce thrust.

Answer 4

Rocketplanes carry their own fuel and air.

Planes only carry their fuel.

Answer 5

I got to go along with all the above

Answer 6

The engines.  A rocket is an engine that carries its own fuel and oxygen.  Hence, it can be used in space.  A normal airplane with an jet or propeller engine carries its own fuel but burns oxygen from the air.