STSprog/fut (MRS)_v_bw_o_n (1968 Lockheed-Cal. Co./LAC photo, poss. no. C767201)
“WHEN MAN FLIES IN SPACE -- Lockheed-California Company engineers envision a two-man crew in this concept of a ”multipurpose reusable spacecraft” -- MRS, currently under study for the U.S. Air Force. The Burbank-based aerospace company sees manned maneuvering entry as the beginning of step by step development of reusable space systems. Technology from such spacecraft would apply to future hypersonic transports. Highly-maneuverable entry craft -- capable of aircraft-type landings in routine operation -- present the difficult design challenge of carrying a human crew safely through the entire flight spectrum, from low landing speeds to high in-flight speeds up to 20 times the speed of sound. This latest Lockheed concept results from ten years’ research and study of high-lift-to-drag ratio -- highly-maneuverable -- entry vehicles. For the Air Force, MRS design studies date back four years. The craft conceived here -- one of a design series -- achieves the high payload-carrying capacity important to useful mission accomplishment. Rocket-powered for hypersonic flight in atmosphere and space, the design uses a turbo-jet engine for low speed maneuvering and landing. Jet fuel is carried in the tank directly behind crew quarters. Jet engine air intake duct is seen forward of tail fin, with engine directly in line behind it. The rocket engine is mounted below jet engine at rear; its fluorine-hydrogen fuel is contained in large tanks occupying rear half of vehicle. Avionics -- instrumentation -- are shown in “black boxes” forward of pilots.”
With the Chinese eating our lunch & eyeing dinner, this might’ve been a good idea to pursue…with whatever consistent or at least, persistent vigor. I wonder what that would look like today. Imagine, from ~1968 forward. Oh well, it is what it is.
STSprog/fut (MRS)_v_bw_o_n (1968 Lockheed-Cal. Co./LAC photo, poss. no. C767201)
“WHEN MAN FLIES IN SPACE -- Lockheed-California Company engineers envision a two-man crew in this concept of a ”multipurpose reusable spacecraft” -- MRS, currently under study for the U.S. Air Force. The Burbank-based aerospace company sees manned maneuvering entry as the beginning of step by step development of reusable space systems. Technology from such spacecraft would apply to future hypersonic transports. Highly-maneuverable entry craft -- capable of aircraft-type landings in routine operation -- present the difficult design challenge of carrying a human crew safely through the entire flight spectrum, from low landing speeds to high in-flight speeds up to 20 times the speed of sound. This latest Lockheed concept results from ten years’ research and study of high-lift-to-drag ratio -- highly-maneuverable -- entry vehicles. For the Air Force, MRS design studies date back four years. The craft conceived here -- one of a design series -- achieves the high payload-carrying capacity important to useful mission accomplishment. Rocket-powered for hypersonic flight in atmosphere and space, the design uses a turbo-jet engine for low speed maneuvering and landing. Jet fuel is carried in the tank directly behind crew quarters. Jet engine air intake duct is seen forward of tail fin, with engine directly in line behind it. The rocket engine is mounted below jet engine at rear; its fluorine-hydrogen fuel is contained in large tanks occupying rear half of vehicle. Avionics -- instrumentation -- are shown in “black boxes” forward of pilots.”
With the Chinese eating our lunch & eyeing dinner, this might’ve been a good idea to pursue…with whatever consistent or at least, persistent vigor. I wonder what that would look like today. Imagine, from ~1968 forward. Oh well, it is what it is.