Orbit Author:Thomas Block Star Streak was a Hypersonic transport. Designed for a steep-angled take-off. But wasn't this too fast? Designed for tremendous acceleration rates. But not for G-forces that crushed passengers and crew to the edge of unconsciousness. At Mach 2 and 75,000 feet the rocket motors were designed to cut in and boost to cruise speed. But not run uncont... more »rollably up to 100% power, blasting the plane clean through the designed maximum altitude of 200,000 feet, power still fully locked on, the interior a lethal jumble of free-floating debris. Taking the plane into the black airless void of space, leaving it trapped. Trapped in orbit, circling the earth, helpless, waiting, declining into death.« less