T
tomnackid
Guest
I first came across this in a Stephen Baxter novel and since he is an engineer and was involved in the space program (he applied for a guest post on Mir) and has done extensive research about NASA history and culture I didn't dismiss it out of hand.<br /><br />A character in one book (it might have been "Titan") mentions that Air Force astronauts trained for using the Shuttle to do bombing runs over the USSR. Can any of you shuttle experts or insiders confirm or deny this? I have attempted to research it but haven't come across any information about the shuttle being used as a weapons platform. The most aggressive thing it would do (at least stated openly) would be capture Soviet satellites during a conflict. I guess since the shuttle is fully orbital (unlike an ICBM) carrying weapons would be a violation of treaties. Still, since the original mission for DyanaSoar was to carry nuclear bombs and as far as the Air Force was concerned the shuttle was the "son of DynaSoar on steroids" I would imagine that they would at least explore the idea.<br /><br />Maybe this is one of those "I could tell you but then I'ld have to kill you." situations! <img src="/images/icons/smile.gif" />