From: g_d_pusch_remove_underscores@xnet.com   
   Copy: jrc3@cox.net   
      
   "Joe Claffey Jr."  writes:   
      
   > In article ,   
   >  henry@spsystems.net (Henry Spencer) wrote:   
   >   
   >> That aside, such an aircraft would certainly be interesting for such   
   >> uses... *if* it already existed.  It's very unlikely to be cost-effective   
   >> to build such a thing solely as part of a launch system.  A rocket stage,   
   >> even a reusable one, is easier and cheaper.   
   >   
   >  Burt Rutan did design (and build) an aircraft specifically for his   
   > X-Prize entry. It's not hypersonic (AFAIK),   
      
   It's not even _supersonic_ !!!  It's basically a big high aspect-ratio   
   sailplane-like design with a couple of jet engines --- essentially a   
   civilian re-invention of the U2 spyplane. It's top speed is at most   
   a few hundred knots!   
      
      
   > but its existence does suggest that designing a custom launch aircraft is   
   > a viable approach.   
      
   Viable for _WHAT_ ?!?   
      
   Rutan is =NOT= planning to launch payloads into orbit economically ---   
   he is planning to try and win a ONE-SHOT PRIZE, and _maybe_ take up   
   a few tourists with more money than sense !!!   
      
      
   -- Gordon D. Pusch   
      
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