Mini-shuttle (original) (raw)

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Mini-shuttle

Part of Shuttle

American manned rocketplane. Study 1972. In August 1972 it was proposed to test a subscale version of the shuttle to test the aerodynamics. The 13,750 kg vehicle would be 11 m long and have a wingspan of 7 m.

Status: Study 1972. Gross mass: 13,750 kg (30,310 lb). Height: 11.00 m (36.00 ft). Span: 7.00 m (22.90 ft).

Air dropped from an NB-52 carrier aircraft, it would use the XLR-99 engine developed for the X-15 to boost it to over Mach 5.

It would be equipped with off-the-shelf on-board systems, but use the thermal protection materials planned for the shuttle. Proponents said they could accomplish the program for 19.7million,butopponentssaiditwouldcostover19.7 million, but opponents said it would cost over 19.7million,butopponentssaiditwouldcostover150 million. It was never authorized, and it was only on the first orbital flight that the shuttle aerodynamics were proven at supersonic speeds.

Family: Rocketplane, Suborbital, US Rocketplanes. Country: USA. Engines: XLR99. Propellants: Lox/Ammonia. Agency: North American. Bibliography: 44.

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