Lockheed NF-104A Starfighter Aerospace Trainer

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Winston

Lorenzo von Matterhorn
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[video=youtube;FgToX-Fy42U]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FgToX-Fy42U[/video]

[video=youtube;TwpJ7fIDmCI]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TwpJ7fIDmCI[/video]

Great anecdotes and flight details:

[video=youtube;eB8l_fCKDSw]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eB8l_fCKDSw[/video]
 
So, the Rocketdyne AR2-3 rocket engine used by the NF-104A.....


tumblr_l2vqwekfse1qb2zhuo1_1280.jpg


Is in use TODAY.

100330-o-1234s-001_940a5f2af7606b93570f750701c05be2.nbcnews-ux-2880-1000.jpg


The X-37B orbital space planes (there are two). They have been launched several times by Atlas rockets, but the last launch (still in orbit) was on a SpaceX Falcon-9 (for a lot less money than an Atlas)

https://www.airforce-technology.com/projects/boeing-x37/

... The X-37 is powered by a single Rocketdyne AR2-3 rocket engine, manufactured by Pratt & Whitney. Each engine can produce a maximum of 29.341kN thrust and uses solar power and lithium-ion batteries instead of the traditional fuel cell system.....

The AR2-3 engine uses JP-8 (kerosene-like) and Hydrogen Peroxide. Not the most efficient ISP for a liquid fueled engine, but it's fuel can be on standby in orbit for months/years.

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