LB-X
Spacecraft · USA
Original archive entry. The text, images and links below are kept as they were written.
American manned spaceplane. Study 2004. X-Prize suborbital spaceplane concept of Kelly Space & Technology, San Bernardino, California.
LB-X was designed by a team led by Michael Gallo of Kelly Space & Technology, San Bernardino, California. In common with other Kelly proposals, the vehicle would be air towed to launch by a 747, accelerate to outer space, then make a horizontal glide landing at any conventional runway. The vehicle was a rocket-powered delta wing glider with a liquid oxygen and kerosene liquid rocket engine. However Kelly, after conducting tow tests with an F-106 fighter, was unable to raise enough funds for development of either the LB-X or their Astroliner orbital vehicle.