posted 12-12-2005 04:38 PM               

quote:

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In the mid-1960's the US Air Force conducted a series of classified studies on next-generation space transportation systems to support projected large military space stations, conduct manned military reconnaissance and strike missions, and reduce the cost of launching military payloads. These Air Force studies finally concluded that a partially reusable vehicle was the most attractive, along the lines of Lockheed's Starlifter, which had a large drop tank but returned the engines and avionics of the vehicle for reuse. The Air Force probably spent around $ 1 billion on 'black' technology development tests at this time, including work on linear aerospike engines and high fineness lifting body shapes that would re-emerge again 30 years later in Lockheed's X-33 space shuttle successor.

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posted 12-12-2005 04:49 PM               

In the above post, I have edited your message to replace the unattributed full article with a short excerpt, link and credit that falls within the permissions of "fair use".

Copyright and legal concerns aside, when people work to publish books, magazines and even websites, their efforts should be celebrated, not taken for granted and copied.