Lockheed Martin Tests New Spacecraft Prototype

Hmmzis writes to tell us that Lockheed Martin is using Spaceport America to test a new prototype spacecraft. The prototype is only about one-fifth the size of the projected production model which promises to deliver satellites into orbit at a cheaper cost. "It looks a bit like the space shuttle and would fly to space and return the same way. But even the big version would not carry people, just satellites. The goal is to get to orbit faster and cheaper thanks to an automated reusable spacecraft run by its own computers and just a handful of people for a launch crew."

Comments

Spaceport, my arse

[call-me-kenneth]

"Spaceport America"... puh-lease. They're doing atmospheric tests on a 1/5 scale model flying with either solid rockets or most likely small conventional turbines, validating aerodynamics of a aerospace equivalent of a concept car. And that vehicle ladies and gentlemen is an AIRcraft, and that big ol patch of concrete is an AIRport.

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