McDONNELL-DOUGLAS ALTERNATE CONCEPT-B [SHUTTLE PHASE-A] [1969]
Notes:
http://sites.google.com/site/spaceodysseytwo/stg1969/bsts70b.jpg>
McDonnell-Douglas (McDAC) decided not to pursue the Langley HL-10 design any further and instead proposed a number of comparatively low-cost straight wing orbiter designs. Pictured here is the company's “drawbridge wing” shuttle from late 1969. It would have reentered with folded wings for high-crossrange (>2800km) military missions. The crossrange with extended wings would have been only 400km but the reentry heat loads also would be less severe. McDAC also proposed a less expensive unmanned tow-back winged booster that would have been snagged by a C-5A Galaxy following reentry and then towed back to base. This would have reduced the weight and cost of the booster.
http://sites.google.com/site/spaceodysseytwo/stg1969/BSTS70.JPG>
“Shuttle to Fit the Times” -- Quest & Waganer, Astronautics & Aeronautics1970/August/p.36