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SECRET Project Lunex WDLAR-S-458 The USAF Project Lunex spacecraft designed to make a Moon landing and return to Earth. This Project Lunex SECRET WDLAR-S-458 early 1960s concept remained secret for several decades. USAF & Development Command at Wright-Patter- son AFB, Dayton, Ohio. Running in parallel to the Boeing X-20 spaceplane, North American’s alternative project used technologies that promised a full orbital capability, longer endurance and a sig- nificant offensive potential. Designed to undertake a six-week orbital mission during times of crisis, the LRV would accommodate a crew of four. From 345 miles (555km) above the Earth the LRV would be able to deploy four winged thermonuclear-tipped missiles that could be parked in orbit or directed towards ground targets. These weapons would be stored at the back of the craft and ejected rearwards. The specification of the space-to-ground missile is unknown, butit has been suggested that each would be equipped with Multiple SECRET Independent Re-entry Vehicle (MIRV) war- heads capable of inflicting massive damage on a range of pre-selected targets. The with a broadly similar US Army proposal Orbital Flying Saucers dimensions of the LRV are quoted as being known as Project Horizon, it would remain Drawing on research conducted by NASA into —_40ft (12.2m) in diameter with a central thick- secret for the remainder of the 20th century. _ lenticular-shaped re-entry vehicles for the ness of 90in (228.6cm), tapering to 6in However, the military retained an interest in Apollo Project, the USAF decided to initiate — (152.4cm) at the edge. Launch weight was the Apollo Project and there were plans to semi-disc-shaped orbital bomber project. set at a modest 45,000 Ib (20,411kg) and the build a version of the lunar module as an Their chosen contractor was North American — landing weight with unused missiles would orbital combat vehicle, which would be — Aviation’s Los Angeles Division, who received _ be 33,395 Ib (15,147kg); in a post-combat sit- capable of destroying Soviet satellites. Mean- a commission to develop this spacecraft at uation the empty LRV’s weight would be while, the USAF was using NASA’s lenticular the beginning of the 1960s. Known as the — reduced to just over 17,000 Ib (7,711kg). The vehicle studies for the design of a new top- Lenticular Re-Entry Vehicle (LRV), this pro- launch method for this vehicle is understood secret strategic weapons system. posal was funded by the USAF’s Air Research to have been a two-stage fully re-usable booster system using a pair of winged vehi- cles, which would have been sled-launched along a giant monorail track. Key areas of the LRV would be strengthened to withstand high 8G acceleration on lift-off and problems asso- ciated with wind shear. Details of the launch system have never been released, but they are thought to be very similar to those found in a later study undertaken for NASA, which was based on the LRV. Launching a manned spacecraft from a monorail was initially proposed by the Aus- trian scientist Dr Eugen Sanger (1905-1961), who designed the first technically realistic spaceplane. During World War Two Sanger was asked to develop his spaceplane con- cept into a vehicle capable of reaching Amer- ica and this project became known as the Sanger Stratospheric (or Amerika) Bomber. Figure 4-1 Manned Lunar Payload Figure 4-1 Manned Lunar Payload SECRET with a broadly similar US Army proposal known as Project Horizon, it would remain secret for the remainder of the 20th century. However, the military retained an interest in the Apollo Project and there were plans to build a version of the lunar module as an orbital combat vehicle, which would be capable of destroying Soviet satellites. Mean- while, the USAF was using NASA’s lenticular vehicle studies for the design of a new top- secret strategic weapons system. Orbital Flying Saucers Drawing on research conducted by NASA into lenticular-shaped re-entry vehicles for the Apollo Project, the USAF decided to initiate a semi-disc-shaped orbital bomber project. Their chosen contractor was North American Aviation’s Los Angeles Division, who received a commission to develop this spacecraft at the beginning of the 1960s. Known as the Lenticular Re-Entry Vehicle (LRV), this pro- posal was funded by the USAF’s Air Research 124 Concept art for the Lenticular Re-Entry Vehicle (LRV) - North American Space Bomber. Bill Rose Secret Projects: Flying Saucer Aircraft