Qian Xuesen Rocketplane

In 1949 rocket engineer Qian Xuesen unveiled a design for a passenger rocketplane. It was based on the same aerodynamics as the V2, and would have carried ten passengers from NYC to LA in 45 minutes.

Though largely forgotten, Qian's rocketplane design inspired the X-20 Dyna-Soar spaceplane, which went on to inspire the Space Shuttle. This 1949 concept is, at least in some sense, an ancestor to the Space Shuttle.