NAA Phase B (STS proposal): Still Audacious.

Final design presented by North American Aviation at the Space Shuttle selection Phase B ( Jan. 1971) stage. Show here in his high cross-range delta-wing configuration orbited piggy-back mated to the Convair B9U delta-wing booster. They’re leaving the Vehicle Assembly Building in the Mobile Launch Platform on his way to the launch pad, Kennedy Space Center.

Sadly things became humbler later.

Photo: SDAM Collection.