[tricky_k_1972]

I can't tell for sure if you're agreeing with me on the runway-to-orbit that I'm pushing, or the Nuclear rocket you're talking about.

I was talking about the runway-to-orbit air-breathing engine design.

The problem I see is Rutan isn't proposing an air-breathing engine design, nor has he ever proposed one. The Roton rocket was sort of the same idea, but even he couldn't get it to work.

I'm not saying that an air-breathing engine to LEO can't work, I know it can, but I think it will take 10 to 30 years of steady, intense, direct engineering to get us there, and nobody that I have seen is even starting in that direction.

I still think that my idea of a tax check-off for direct funding of either NASA or private industry "Prizes" for development is the best way to go.

[KevinDavis]

I think that the prizes that NASA is offering is a way to go.. SOMETHING THEY SHOULD HAVE DONE YEARS AGO!

[NicknamedBob]

"I still think that my idea of a tax check-off for direct funding of either NASA or private industry "Prizes" for development is the best way to go."

Just add to this idea, a lottery to be chosen among those who make the checkoff, to be a civilian "astronaut" on one of the first flights.

The winner could wait for his flight into space, or sell the ticket to the highest bidder, tax-free.

The excitement of the lottery winnings alone would push the entrants to make more investments. Maybe it could be in five dollar increments.