From: g_d_pusch_remove_underscores@xnet.com   
      
   ansible@typhoon.xnet.com (James Graves) writes:   
      
   > While this is drifting off-topic for this newsgroup, can someone explain   
   > to me why so many in the aero/astro field still think hypersonics for   
   > orbital launch are a good idea?   
      
   1.)  Because the first "A" in NASA stands for "aeronautics."   
   2.)  Because it helps keep several NASA center in business.   
      
      
   > And are hypersonics a good idea for anything at all?   
      
   Not in my opinion. Hypersonic travel combines all the disadvantages of   
   airplanes with all the disadvantages of rocket flight and all the   
   disadvantages of re-entry --- continuously.   
      
   Above Mach several, you might as well go whole hog and do a sub-orbital lob;   
   it'll be faster, cheaper, and more practical.   
      
      
   -- Gordon D. Pusch   
      
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