Douglas SASSTO (1967)
Reusable Launch System Concept
Price: $125.00 + Shipping*
STATUS: IN STOCK
Price: $125.00 + Shipping*
STATUS: IN STOCK
About the Design
During the mid-1960s, Douglas Aircraft's space division under the direction of Philip Bono produced numerous designs for advanced reusable launch vehicles. One of these, based on Douglas' S-IVB second stage for the Saturn V rocket, was dubbed the SASSTO (Saturn Application Single-Stage-to-Orbit.) Using an experimental aerospike engine in place of conventional rockets, it was designed to boost a two-man Gemini capsule into low orbit and then return it to earth, all as a single vehicle. The SASSTO's benefits were to be simplicity, reusability, and low cost.
Unfortunately, NASA went in another direction, putting its focus on larger, winged orbiters with greater carrying capacities, a concept that would ultimately produce the U.S. Space Shuttle. To see a CGI video of a complete SASSTO mission, visit: ​https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YfvG0v1LX6k&t=89s
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About the Model
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