This isn&#x27;t a patent on the Space Shuttle. It&#x27;s a patent on an &quot;improved&quot; space shuttle where the External Tank is placed in front of the orbiter. (I didn&#x27;t read why, but I assume it&#x27;s to minimize various losses.)<p>Given the problems with foam shedding on the actual ET, it&#x27;s probably a good thing they didn&#x27;t adopt this configuration.<p>I checked, and it&#x27;s actually somewhat buildable - if my back-of-the-envelope math is right, it&#x27;s shorter than a Saturn V.