Word: spacecrafts
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Independently launched into orbit by a rocket or carried aloft in a mother spacecraft, lifting bodies will be maneuvered in space with thrusters, much like conventional spacecraft. After they enter the atmosphere, however, the wingless craft will be piloted like gliders to land at existing airports, using their control flaps to maneuver and deriving necessary lift from their aerodynamic shape. Thus the reusable ships could probably become the space age's most utilitarian vehicles...
Instead, NASA officials have channeled their energy and funds almost exclusively into the prevention of space mishaps, providing spacecraft with redundant systems to take over the functions of those that fail. But the near disaster encountered by the wildly gyrating Gemini 8 and the tragic deaths of the Apollo astronauts at Cape Kennedy have convinced a growing number of experts that NASA's "redundancy techniques" have their limitations and that a space-rescue system is needed to supplement them. In a 584-page space-rescue report scheduled for release this week, the House Committee on Science and Astronautics concludes...
Space Coast Guard. There is no shortage of ideas. Martin Marietta Corp. has proposed launching a piloted Gemini rescue spacecraft in tandem with an unmanned Gemini containing three seats. After the twin craft had rendezvoused with a disabled Apollo vehicle, for example, the three-man Apollo crew could transfer to the empty Gemini, detach it from the piloted rescue craft, and return to earth simply by firing their retrorockets...
...Agena's control and propulsion systems to return to earth. M.I.T. students have drawn up plans for a fleet of lifting-body rescue craft mounted on Titan 3C rockets and standing ready on launching pads-like a space-age version of the Coast Guard-to rendezvous with distressed spacecraft...
Ground-based rescue systems have serious drawbacks. The House space-rescue report estimates that the minimum time required to launch a Titan 3 rocket and rendezvous its rescue vehicle with a low-orbiting spacecraft is four hours. In addition, the orbiting, disabled ship would pass near Cape Kennedy only two or three times per day. Should a countdown be delayed long enough for the "rendezvous window" to close, the rescue ship would have to delay its flight for hours. Thus, unless the astronauts were well supplied with oxygen and in no immediate danger, the rescuers might arrive too late. NASA...