Beta II

German SSTO VTOVL orbital launch vehicle. Beta II was Dietrich Koelle's nominal 350 metric tons lift-off mass SSTO design for launch of a 10 metric ton European spaceplane.

In 1986 he updated the design. Use of a more sophisticated trajectory analysis indicated a lower total velocity to reach orbit - a 15 metric ton payload could be delivered using a 460 metric ton vehicle. Subsequent revisions included the Beta IIrev in (12 metric tons payload, 600 metric ton lift-off mass) and Beta IIa in 1993 (18 metric tons payload at same 600 metric ton lift-off mass).

LEO Payload: 18,000 kg (39,000 lb) to a 90 km orbit at 6.00 degrees.