The X-37 concept always struck me as just about the worst of all worlds.

Lets be a lifting body, so we are a lousy shape for propellant tanks! Whoops, we still don't have enough lift to land softly, so lets add the worlds largest parafoil (which still causes something to break on every landing)! The worst characteristics of both.

Using a lifting body shape for the sole purpose of reducing reentry G loads and lowering the heat flux (but increasing the total heat load) has always seemed like designing to a fictitious requirement.

I favor powered VTVL, but there is no denying that a modern parachute / parafoil system is still somewhat lighter than propellant for a powered landing.

John Carmack
www.armadilloaerospace.com