taw%S1-C@sri-unix.UUCP (07/18/83)
A friend just sent me this excerpt from a McDonnell/Douglas internal newspaper for supervisors: USAF Exploring Transatmospheric Vehicle The USAF's Aeronautical Systems Division is hoping to have a transatmospheric vehicle (TAV) - capable of lifting off and maneuvering in space like a convential aircraft - operational by the late 1990's. Different missions are being considered for the TAV, which will not need rockets (like the Shuttle) to get into space. MCAIR ( McDonnell Aircraft Co. ) and MDAC ( McDonnell Douglas Astronautics Co. ) are exploring the concept as a team.