http://www.nasa.gov/externalflash/wb57/ http://jsc-aircraft-ops.jsc.nasa.gov/wb57/index.html
The WB-57 is a revolutionary long-range, high altitude payload carrier, capable of carrying a payload of 9,700 pounds. The plane itself weighs in at about 72,000 lbs, and is capable of flying for about 6.5 hours at an altitude of above 60,000 ft. The plane has 20 wing hatches capable of holding 65 lbs each, two superpods capable of 1420 lbs each, two spearpods capable of 370 lbs each, a pallet bay capable of more than 1550 lbs, and a nose cone that can hold up to 954 lbs.
This concept is a pretty good example of opportunity cost, or the cost of the decision. The program may be good for all the long-distance carrying, but the creation of the WB-57 is a costly one, although I am not sure of the price. The opportunity cost is the amount of money put into the project.
This is also a good example of market economy. The transport is great for advancement in technology, again allowing for large loads, and fast travel. We have the freedom to create and use the WB-57, as well as its government funding through NASA, which is through taxes. This is quite similar to the US, how we have very large amounts of government funding through taxes.
http://www.nasa.gov/externalflash/wb57/
http://jsc-aircraft-ops.jsc.nasa.gov/wb57/index.html
The WB-57 is a revolutionary long-range, high altitude payload carrier, capable of carrying a payload of 9,700 pounds. The plane itself weighs in at about 72,000 lbs, and is capable of flying for about 6.5 hours at an altitude of above 60,000 ft. The plane has 20 wing hatches capable of holding 65 lbs each, two superpods capable of 1420 lbs each, two spearpods capable of 370 lbs each, a pallet bay capable of more than 1550 lbs, and a nose cone that can hold up to 954 lbs.
This concept is a pretty good example of opportunity cost, or the cost of the decision. The program may be good for all the long-distance carrying, but the creation of the WB-57 is a costly one, although I am not sure of the price. The opportunity cost is the amount of money put into the project.
This is also a good example of market economy. The transport is great for advancement in technology, again allowing for large loads, and fast travel. We have the freedom to create and use the WB-57, as well as its government funding through NASA, which is through taxes. This is quite similar to the US, how we have very large amounts of government funding through taxes.