The idea of a spacecraft returning from space to a horizontal landing had been around for decades before the first operational space shuttle flight in 1982. A proposal had been submitted to NACA (National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics, NASA’s predecessor) in 1954, just eight years after the Second World War. That proposal would ultimately become the X-15 aircraft but classified studies in to the next generation of space transportation systems continued.
Full album is here: http://www.aviationcv.com/pilot-forum/T ... oncept-Art
Space Shuttle Concept Art
Moderator: Plane spotting team
Forum rules
viewtopic.php?f=21&t=12716
viewtopic.php?f=21&t=12716