An originally classified report produced at NASA-Ames described in general terms the sort of research vehicle that would be needed in support of the then-current ASP (AeroSpacePlane) program. ASP was a forward thinking but unfortunately far too technically difficult program to develop airbreathing single- or two-stage-to-orbit operational spaceplanes, or “orbital aircraft,” for military purposes. The same basic idea would arise again in the 1980s with the X-30 NASP. Much more on the ASP program and its competitors will be shown in APR issue V2N5 (still working on V2N4).
NASA-Ames envisioned a research aircraft using ACE (Air Cycle Engine) propulsion systems… basically rockets that use air compressed and ducted from an inlet. While initial testing would use turbojets and normal rockets for lower speed flight, by the end of the testing program it was planned to have a fully integrated ACE system. Coupled with external drop-tanks, it was expected that the performance capability of the research plane would be expanded to include orbital flight.
More on this design will be provided in APR V2N5.
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