tedbrown

Interestingly & more accurately, per the caption from a knowledgeable publication: "A double MOL concept for long-duration flights, featuring a tail-to-tail docking configuration."

bello

Elon Musk needs to buy a surplus aircraft carrier.

GENERAL INFORMATION FOR ENTIRE BONO SERIES OF IMAGES SCANNED BY SDASM: Full descriptions and technical details of the concepts illustrated by this series can be found in "Frontiers of Space" by Philip Bono and Kenneth Gatland, published in 1969 (with a second revised edition coming out in 1976) by Macmillan & Co. (NYC) ISBN# 0-02-542810-1. The book was part of the Macmillan Color Series. Other Gatland space titles in the series include three Pocket Encyclopedia of Spaceflight In Color books: "Manned Spacecraft" (1967), "Missiles and Rockets" (1975), and "Robot Explorers" (1972). The book contains many fine color and b/w illustrations and diagrams. The "Ithacus" concept, shown above, is a proposal for a rocket-delivered Rapid Deployment Force, stationed at sea and capable of responding anywhere on earth. Bono's proposals include several types of unconventional rocket nozzles and often include reusable components. Good luck finding a copy. I kept mine !