Proj 7969 Northrop - Credit: (c) Mark Wade. 6,264 bytes. 209 x 320 pixels.

Northrop's proposal for the Air Force initial manned space project was a boost-glide vehicle based on work done for the Dynasoar project. The delta wing vehicle would weigh 5,000 kg and have a hypersonic lift to drag ratio of 6.0. As with Dynasoar, a test aircraft approach was taken, with a slow build-up to orbital speed.

Total Mass: 5,000 kg.

• 26 - Baker, David, The History of Manned Spaceflight, Crown, New York, 1981.
• 483 - Grimwood, James M., Project Mercury: A Chronology, NASA Special Publication-4001.

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Project 7969 Designs - Project 7969 designs using extensive aerodynamic maneuvering. From left: North American X-15B; Bell Dynasoar; Northrop Dynasoar; Republic Demi body; Avco maneuverable drag cone. Credit: (c) Mark Wade. 13,174 bytes. 640 x 240 pixels.

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