[kach22i]

Originally Posted by RWebb

This is how Oregonians do mass transit, baby!

That's how you ferry hospital employees you mean.

I've been on that, it is pretty cool.

US-Space Plane Systems - Spin-Offs


US-Space Plane Systems - Technology

Simply put, Lifting Body aircraft generate lift for sustained flight from the shape of their bodies, thus eliminating the need for wings. Lifting body technology in the United States began to be developed in the early sixties by a small group of engineers in California. Dr. Alfred J Eggers began studies on alternative types of space craft and re-entry methods for returning to the ground from orbit. Dr. Eggers believed that a blunted cone was the most stable shape for this purpose. However, the need arose for the cone to be some what maneuverable during the re-entry procedure. Therefore, a shape that sports a significant amount of lift would be required. Dr. Eggers suggested the cone be split in half. This shape became known as "the blunted half cone" and the lifting body aircraft was born.

US-SpacePlane Systems - Associations

During its two and one half year test period this remarkable aircraft has perform numerous runway takoffs and landings, stall recovery, aerobatic manuvers and water landings. Its jet fighter performance has paved the way for even more advanced lifting body crafts to be built by USSPS in the near future........

I still say it's built upside down.