Speculative Fact #293: Space Passenger Plane

During the Reagan administration, an aerospace craft called the X-30 tested the feasibility of flying into high altitudes (and eventually low orbit) using advanced and experimental technology. Ronald Reagan called it the Orient Express (an allusion to the railway service of the 1800s) because of the enterprising prospect of two hour flights between Washington and Tokyo.
            While the X-30 program was cancelled in the 1990s before a working prototype was ever built, what if a viable space launch passenger aerospace plane was introduced by the early 2000s? What if such a vehicle could become available for the space tourists of the near future? What impact could be had on the travel industry if a vehicle capable of a two hour transpacific flight was available?
            If your characters need to get into space they might charter a flight on a passenger space plane. Or maybe your story merely spans a few continents but time is short and they need to get there fast...

-Jonathan Hernandez

---