The Better Off Dead Space Shuttle (BODSS) was a United States space plane prototype developed by Boeing in the early 2000s. The project was canceled in 2003 due to cost overruns and technical problems.
The BODSS project began in 2000 when Boeing was awarded a contract by the U.S. Air Force to develop a reusable space plane. The goal of the project was to create a reusable system that could be used to launch payloads into space at a fraction of the cost of traditional rocket launch vehicles.
The BODSS space plane was designed to be a two-stage system, with a reusable first stage and a expendable second stage. It was designed to carry up to seven passengers to low-Earth orbit. The space plane was designed to be air-launched from a modified 747 aircraft and was capable of reaching speeds of up to 17,000 mph.
The BODSS space plane was designed to be relatively lightweight and agile, with a weight of approximately 40,000 lbs. It was also designed to be more efficient than traditional rocket launch systems, due to the use of reusable technology and aerodynamic design.
The BODSS project was canceled in 2003 due to cost overruns and technical problems. There were also issues with the design, including difficulty in achieving the necessary aerodynamic performance. In addition, there were concerns about the project being too costly and not offering sufficient cost savings to make it viable.
Despite the program’s cancellation, the Better Off Dead Space Shuttle project had a lasting legacy. It helped to usher in a new era of space exploration, as it provided a more cost-effective alternative to traditional rocket launch systems. Additionally, its air-launch design inspired the development of other air-launch systems, such as Virgin Galactic’s SpaceShipTwo.
The project also helped to inform the designs of more modern reusable launch systems, such as SpaceX’s Falcon 9 and Falcon Heavy. Overall, the Better Off Dead Space Shuttle project helped to pave the way for more affordable access to space.
The Better Off Dead Space Shuttle project was an ambitious effort to create a reusable, cost-effective space plane. Despite the project’s cancellation, it had a lasting legacy and helped pave the way for future reusable launch systems. The project was a valuable step in the journey towards more cost-effective access to space.