At my age - im easily confused-------

hmmmm
It's always seems a shame when massive efforts and costs turn to dust.
Perhaps "they" should have done some modelling of the concepts before making the H/C real size and
presumably huge (wasted) costs.
Some bright spark suggests "evolution rather than REVOLUTION."
History is such a reliable pointer. (its been going on a long time!!!)
Ignore history at your peril.
Ignoring physics is also a "little unwise"?
Eye catching aesthetics are perhaps -just that--designed to catch the unwary eye.
-------OR--------
Use an already proven system as a base and then Go mad (ON THE DRAWING BOARD) and with models
to make a "sexy star wars type" craft that could sell as a thing to OWN (polish on the drive) and use.
Von Merciers stying catches the eye like a Hummers styling does!
Still a shame.