The USAF's Robotic X-37B Space Plane Returns to Earth After a 15-Month Secret Mission

[Jetblack357]

[QUOTE=Disotrtion;36400968]Yeah 13 aircraft carriers. Nice.[/QUOTE]

Not just carriers man, but yeah, 13 is fucking ridiculous.

[Gatsby]

[QUOTE=meppers;36401571][IMG]http://i.imgur.com/y2K3s.jpg[/IMG]

why do they find the need to wear hazmat suits

:byodood:[/QUOTE]

Radioactivity.
There is plenty of that beyond our atmosphere.

[GarrettFox]

[QUOTE=CanadianBill;36392716]How did it get into orbit? Just flying out? If so that's impressive.[/QUOTE]

The instant they figure out how to make an aircraft that properly flies into space in a single stage, all production on other projects stops and THAT becomes the focus of every space organization with any form of funding. Single stage to orbit is the holy grail of spacecraft right now.

[inconspicious]

[QUOTE=GunFox;36401882]The instant they figure out how to make an aircraft that properly flies into space in a single stage, all production on other projects stops and THAT becomes the focus of every space organization with any form of funding. Single stage to orbit is the holy grail of spacecraft right now.[/QUOTE]

If I can't do it on Kerbal Space Program, then NASA has no chance.

[Reconl5]

[QUOTE=GunFox;36401882]The instant they figure out how to make an aircraft that properly flies into space in a single stage, all production on other projects stops and THAT becomes the focus of every space organization with any form of funding. Single stage to orbit is the holy grail of spacecraft right now.[/QUOTE]
Pfft lightweights
[img]http://4chanarchive.org/images/v/61355786/1275540853195.jpg[/img]

[catbarf]

[QUOTE=GunFox;36401882]The instant they figure out how to make an aircraft that properly flies into space in a single stage, all production on other projects stops and THAT becomes the focus of every space organization with any form of funding. Single stage to orbit is the holy grail of spacecraft right now.[/QUOTE]

It's much more effective to have multiple stages than one that tries to do everything. Aerodynamic wings are dead weight in space, heat radiators are dead weight in the air. Air-breathing engines are pointless beyond the atmosphere, while chemical rockets are inefficient until the atmosphere is left entirely.

What some companies have been pursuing is a combination platform, where a more traditional aircraft uses jets to achieve a very high altitude, before releasing a rocket-powered spaceplane that then achieves orbit. The problem with making one vehicle that does both is that it's like trying to combine an express elevator with a lake ferry, in that while it might make the process a little more streamlined, the tasks have completely different design requirements.