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A comment on The patent on the Space Shuttle has expired.

Re:The patent on the Space Shuttle has expired by trothamel on Saturday December 05, 2015 @08:01PM (#10683929)
This isn't a patent on the Space Shuttle. It's a patent on an "improved" space shuttle where the External Tank is placed in front of the orbiter. (I didn't read why, but I assume it's to minimize various losses.)

Given the problems with foam shedding on the actual ET, it's probably a good thing they didn't adopt this configuration.

I checked, and it's actually somewhat buildable - if my back-of-the-envelope math is right, it's shorter than a Saturn V.

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Re:The patent on the Space Shuttle has expired by TrevorJ on Sunday December 06, 2015 @04:11PM (#10686637)
Seems like the worst of both worlds in terms a vertical vs horizontal configuration. you've still got two unthrottled SRB's right next to you, and now you've increased the odds of them hitting the liquid tank if they detach.
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