Image credit: NASA DFRC
Image source: NASA Images
EC96-43631-6
Tag: reusable launch vehicle
Project X-33
Image credit: NASA DFRC
Image source: NASA Images
ED97-43938-3
Image credit: NASA DERC
Image source: NASA Images
Recoverable Atlas Booster
Image credit: Convair
Image source: SDASM Archives
Four Space-Shuttle Concepts
Here are examples of tentative designs for a space shuttle, made public by members of the four industrial teams competing in the project:
- McDonnell Douglas/Marietta
- Boeing/Lockheed
- North American/General Dynamics
- Grumman Aerospace
Each of pictured space-shuttle versions is a composite craft consisting of two stages, a booster and an orbiter, and is launched vertically like a space rocket, as shown. It’s two stages separate in space, and both return to earth for re-use.
Image credit: Robert McCall
Text and Images: Popular Science
STAR Clipper
Image credit: Lockheed
Image source: Numbers Station
S71-38215
Concept shows the Shuttle in flight, heading toward separation of the Booster and the Orbiter at about 40-mi. altitude.
Image credit: Grumman
Image source: Internet Archive
