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Description
The Reusable Launch System Mark II is a fully-reusable heavy/super-heavy launch system developed and used by the United Provinces Space Initiative together with several Connori and international firms. Developed to replace the Reusable Launch System Mark I which is similar to the US Space Shuttle system, the RLS Mk II is meant to be more modular and scalable, with various payload and booster combinations possible.

The core of the RLS Mk II is the Staircase rocket, a very large reusable vehicle that lands on wing-mounted struts towards the engine end. Original concepts called for large wings similar in shape to the US Shuttle Orbiter, however given the objective to enable lunar missions at full booster fit and to reduce non-essential mass, the Staircase eventually settled for a Space-X style landing strut system combined with grid fins for descent control. The Staircase nose payload section is capable of supporting up to 40tonnes; it can carry additional payloads on one axis of booster fairings. It can be launched without boosters for low-earth-orbit missions with 10-12tonne payloads.

Dimensions: 60.16m (197.37ft) overall length x 8.25m (27.06ft) hull diametre, 17.58m (57.68ft) wingspan
Gross mass: 3,125 tonnes (3,075.64 long tons)
Engines: 7 x Mercury Rockets RE-175 LOX/LCH4 full-flow staged-combustion liquid rockets, with 4.5MN (1,011,640lbf) each at vacuum (31.5MN or 7,081,482lbf combined)

For heavier payloads, or for missions to Lunar orbit, the RLS Mk II can be fitted with up to four Chariot reuseable rocket boosters. Powered by four of the same RE-175 rockets as the Staircase, with four boosters the total thrust available is 72MN (16,186,243lbf), providing more lift for getting the Staircase and its payload into up to higher orbits. Upon burnout, the boosters can fall back to Earth and glide back to onto runways near launch bases.

Dimensions: 45.92m (150.59ft) overall length x 5.75m (18.86ft) diametre, 45.25m (148.146ft) wingspan with wings extended
Gross mass: 400 tonnes
Engines: 4 x Mercury Rockets RE-175 LOX/LCH4 full-flow staged-combustion liquid rockets, with 18MN (4,046,560lbf) combined

The Staircase is human-rated by default; for carrying personnel, the preferred UPSI vehicle is the Pegasus spaceplane, which can carry up to six persons, or alternatively carry up to 5tonnes of cargo.

Description
The Reusable Launch System Mark II is a fully-reusable heavy/super-heavy launch system developed and used by the United Provinces Space Initiative together with several Connori and international firms. Developed to replace the Reusable Launch System Mark I which is similar to the US Space Shuttle system, the RLS Mk II is meant to be more modular and scalable, with various payload and booster combinations possible.

The core of the RLS Mk II is the Staircase rocket, a very large reusable vehicle that lands on wing-mounted struts towards the engine end. Original concepts called for large wings similar in shape to the US Shuttle Orbiter, however given the objective to enable lunar missions at full booster fit and to reduce non-essential mass, the Staircase eventually settled for a Space-X style landing strut system combined with grid fins for descent control. The Staircase nose payload section is capable of supporting up to 40tonnes; it can carry additional payloads on one axis of booster fairings. It can be launched without boosters for low-earth-orbit missions with 10-12tonne payloads.

Dimensions: 60.16m (197.37ft) overall length x 8.25m (27.06ft) hull diametre, 17.58m (57.68ft) wingspan
Gross mass: 3,125 tonnes (3,075.64 long tons)
Engines: 7 x Mercury Rockets RE-175 LOX/LCH4 full-flow staged-combustion liquid rockets, with 4.5MN (1,011,640lbf) each at vacuum (31.5MN or 7,081,482lbf combined)

For heavier payloads, or for missions to Lunar orbit, the RLS Mk II can be fitted with up to four Chariot reuseable rocket boosters. Powered by four of the same RE-175 rockets as the Staircase, with four boosters the total thrust available is 72MN (16,186,243lbf), providing more lift for getting the Staircase and its payload into up to higher orbits. Upon burnout, the boosters can fall back to Earth and glide back to onto runways near launch bases.

Dimensions: 45.92m (150.59ft) overall length x 5.75m (18.86ft) diametre, 45.25m (148.146ft) wingspan with wings extended
Gross mass: 400 tonnes
Engines: 4 x Mercury Rockets RE-175 LOX/LCH4 full-flow staged-combustion liquid rockets, with 18MN (4,046,560lbf) combined

The Staircase is human-rated by default; for carrying personnel, the preferred UPSI vehicle is the Pegasus spaceplane, which can carry up to six persons, or alternatively carry up to 5tonnes of cargo.