Canadian Company Developing New Space Shuttle

Archimboldo writes "CNN is carrying an article on the development of a new space shuttle design by Ontario's PlanetSpace called the Silver Dart, which is based on the U.S. Air Force's Flight Dynamics Laboratory-7 (FDL-7) program. Advantages over the aging Shuttle design include an all metal exterior for all-weather re-entry, twice the shuttle's lift coefficient at sub-sonic speeds, a lighter inner body, and newer electronics." The company has high hopes of snagging some of the space tourism market along with grabbing some of the resupply missions to the ISS.

Comments

Don't crap it all up!

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Don't get me wrong, I love the Canadians and I think their culture is wonderful, but I don't think they have the work experience to develop a full-scale let's-go-take-over-the-universe space shuttle. I just hope they realize they're on the spot here; on a stage in front of the world as many watch in curiosity to see what's created. I just don't want to see the Canadians shoot themselves in the foot by crapping up a shuttle design with "ergonomic" chairs, iPod docks, and anything else "pop-culture" because the very thing they're designing has an integral purpose and is not for joy-riding.

Of course, something with a variable-phase tractor beam, ion propulsion drives, and a 0-60 time of 0.02 seconds would be nice. I like to feel that backward thrust into my captain's chair every time I lean on the accelerator!