It is conceivable that, if the money spent on developing Shuttle had instead been spent on developing the biggest aircraft of all time - we're talking maybe 5 times bigger than the biggest ever built even today - that the air drop method could have performed Shuttle-like missions.<br /><br />Just barely conceivable though, right aircraft experts? (I am not). No composites in 1970 to speak of, right?<br /><br />Is is probably even more difficult to imagine that design option being selected over launching from a pad.<br /><br />But in the end, it would appear that Mr. Rutan et al are building the largest practical air-launch carrier craft even as we speak. So everything in due time I guess. <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> </div>