fut-spaceplane_r_c_o_TPMBK (ca. 1973-79, unnumbered, from original 1961 work)

“AN AEROSPACE COP TO HELP POLICE THE BEAT

As vehicles of all kinds are spewed into space, the problem of policing the traffic will arise. Some of the objects will be harmless derelicts whose only crime is that they are blocking the road. Others, like the cluster of casings shown drifting past earth (upper right) may turn out to be military platforms orbited by an enemy to release bombs on command. The U.S. must be prepared to look them all over from maneuverable interceptors like this one, equipped with sensing devices to detect dangerous weapons and armed with rockets to destroy the offenders.”

Above is per the associated caption with the image, from the April 21, 1961 issue of “LIFE” magazine, as part of a pictorial article entitled “WILD BUT SANE IDEAS FOR SPACE FLIGHT”. Robert McCall created this & two other stunning works exclusively for this issue of the magazine.

The primary body of the article:

“Despite the triumph of Russia’s Major Yuri Gagarin, the race for space is not over. There are still plenty of events to run off which would probe deeper into space and explore its uses as a laboratory for the scientist or a battlefield for the future soldier. And there are still plenty of ideas waiting to be tested. The best hope for the U.S. is that Soviet competition will spur an attempt to convert these ideas into reality.
On these pages LIFE presents some imaginative new concepts which could be useful to both scientist and soldier. They were selected by Astronautical Engineer Tom Turner and rendered by Artist Robert McCall. Some of them may seem at first glance to be far out. Actually, each idea in this portfolio is already on the drawing boards of U.S. industry or government designers and could become a reality, with proper encouragement, in 10 to 20 years—or earlier. Some of the ships, like the solar sail above, are intended primarily for scientific research or for sheer adventure. Others, like the interceptor and the “Schmoo” shown on the following pages, could have a more deadly use. All the ideas are feasible. And all would be valuable—to whoever gets them first.”

Above at/from:

books.google.com/books?id=9FEEAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA48&so...
Credit: Google Books website

See also:

tumblrgallery.xyz/post/9007101.html
Credit: TumblrGallery website

Sort of - about to be - prophetic? And the primary adversary was not even on the radar at the time. Fascinating & still just as concerning…to some…but not enough, which is disconcerting. Can you spell PRC???

Taken on: June 30, 2023

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Sets appears in: • Breaking The Bonds & Firsts • Satellites: Views By/Views Of more » • Miscellaneous • Space Transportation System « less

Groups appears in: • Space Shuttle • OUT OF THIS WORLD more » • Space The Final Frontier • BLAST OFF! to Yesterday's Future • Mid-century Space Illustration • Space & Astronauts • Shuttle Concept Art « less

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