Article

2006-03-06 Science & Technology

Two-Stage-to-Orbit 'Blackstar' System Shelved?

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Posted by 2006-03-06 09:17|| || Front Page|| [3 views since 2007-05-07] Top

#1 Interesting. I was thinking no way that amount of money could be diverted to build and XB-70 like carrier and a spaceplane, but the article had this:
A team of contractors apparently stepped forward, offering to build a quick-reaction TSTO system in record time. The system could ensure on-demand overflight reconnaissance/surveillance from low Earth orbit, and would require minimal development time. Tons of material--including long-lead structural items--for a third XB-70 Valkyrie had been stored in California warehouses years before, and a wealth of data from the X-20 DynaSoar military spaceplane program was readily available for application to a modern orbiter

Posted by ed 2006-03-06 11:08|| 2006-03-06 11:08|| Front Page Top

#2 IIRC there were only 2 XB-70s built. One is on display at the Air Force Museum at Wright-Patterson AFB near Dayton, OH. Very strange looking bird.

Posted by Spot">Spot 2006-03-06 11:53|| 2006-03-06 11:53|| Front Page Top

#3 Only two were built. But the article said there were parts for a third XB-70 in a warehouse. Also the artists drawing gives the impression the orbitor is derived from the the X-15. Makes you wonder what other goodies from the golden age of aviation are stored in warehouses.

Posted by ed 2006-03-06 12:01|| 2006-03-06 12:01|| Front Page Top

#4 A site with much more infor on the XB-70.

Posted by Nimble Spemble 2006-03-06 12:19|| 2006-03-06 12:19|| Front Page Top

#5 MHD drive, baby.

Posted by mojo">mojo 2006-03-06 13:46|| 2006-03-06 13:46|| Front Page Top

#6 More smoke.

Posted by 6 2006-03-06 14:34|| 2006-03-06 14:34|| Front Page Top

#7 Project Chuckwagon is mothballed somewhere with its Saturn 5s.

Posted by 3dc 2006-03-06 15:06|| 2006-03-06 15:06|| Front Page Top

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