MSFC-72-PD-4000-378 (Wikimedia Commons download)
“In 1970, NASA initiated Phase A contracts to study alternate Space Shuttle designs in addition to the two-stage fully reusable Space Shuttle system already under development. A number of alternate systems were developed to ensure the development of the optimum earth-to-orbit system, including the Stage-and-a-half Chemical Interorbital Shuttle, shown here. The concept would utilize a reusable manned spacecraft with an onboard propulsion system attached to an expendable fuel tank to provide supplementary propellants.”
Above and image at/from:
commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Chemical_Interorbital_Shu...
Credit: Wikimedia Commons website
Excellent reading regarding the Chemical Interorbital Shuttle, i.e. space tug:
www.secretprojects.co.uk/threads/chemical-interorbital-sh...
Credit: SECRET PROJECTS FORUM website
Further informative reading, with the image featured on the cover:
ntrs.nasa.gov/api/citations/19740013405/downloads/1974001...
Actually, my primary purpose for posting this was because it’s by Manuel E. Alvarez, an extremely talented & formerly elusive North American Rockwell/Rockwell International artist.
MSFC-72-PD-4000-378 (Wikimedia Commons download)
“In 1970, NASA initiated Phase A contracts to study alternate Space Shuttle designs in addition to the two-stage fully reusable Space Shuttle system already under development. A number of alternate systems were developed to ensure the development of the optimum earth-to-orbit system, including the Stage-and-a-half Chemical Interorbital Shuttle, shown here. The concept would utilize a reusable manned spacecraft with an onboard propulsion system attached to an expendable fuel tank to provide supplementary propellants.”
Above and image at/from:
commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Chemical_Interorbital_Shu...
Credit: Wikimedia Commons website
Excellent reading regarding the Chemical Interorbital Shuttle, i.e. space tug:
www.secretprojects.co.uk/threads/chemical-interorbital-sh...
Credit: SECRET PROJECTS FORUM website
Further informative reading, with the image featured on the cover:
ntrs.nasa.gov/api/citations/19740013405/downloads/1974001...
Actually, my primary purpose for posting this was because it’s by Manuel E. Alvarez, an extremely talented & formerly elusive North American Rockwell/Rockwell International artist.