Space Strategy Podcast - Episode 45: Mike Snead and Jess Sponable: SpacePlanes! America’s Unrealized Dream

Related Categories: Energy Security; Military Innovation; Science and Technology; Resource Security; SPACE; NASA; China; United States
Related Expert: Peter Garretson

In this episode Peter Garretson talks with Mike Snead and Jess Sponable about why America doesn't yet have true spaceplanes and their promise and importance.  They cover nuances of what counts as a spaceplane, what sorts of things a spaceplane can do, the major categories of spaceplanes (TSTO, SSTO, VTOL, HOTOL, VTHL, rocket/airbreathing, air collectionhot & cold structures).  The guests review the history of US efforts from X-20 DynaSoarTAV (Boeing) to Cooper Canyon to X-30 NASPHave RegionDC-XX-33/Venture StarXS-1/XSP and more). They explain that for decades the U.S. industrial base could have built rocket-powered spaceplanes and discuss the geo-strategic and political regions it has not. The conversation explores the reasons for failure, the sad demise of X-planes, and some of the positive trends in industry. They discuss policies that might advance spaceplanes as well as their military implications. Toward the end, Mike and Peter also discuss the interactions between spaceplanes, space solar power, and the implications of China's spaceplaneLunar and Space Solar Power programs. The consider how a mature 'astroelectricity'and 'astrologistics' infrastructure would fundamentally change the game for the U.S. Space Force and military power.