What were we doing with all our shuttle launches over the years Nachum? I think at least half the flights were black flights. hell the real reason we have a shuttle is for black flights.
I always hoped we were positioning some kinda Death Ray in geosynchronous orbit directly above Peking. Knock their junk down right after launch. That would be sweet.
Regards.
One can hope. :)
Originally, the shuttle was for civilian use. Then the military wanted it too and that is when the payload, size and cost overruns, doubled and tripled in price.