Cocoon, Once Again Heading For Space. Heading for space once again is Cocoon, the huge, multi-configurable cargo carrier designed by Robert L Carter, and developed by NASA, to get its various sizes and weights of payload into space. As the payload to be launched into space this time is only half the size and weight of the two previous payloads Cocoon has so far successfully lofted into space, Carter is using the opportunity to test yet another variant of the Hercules Super Booster and the Cocoon Cargo Carrier. The Hercules 2-B variant has the same five engine core block unit which forms the central part of the Hercules Super Booster but is only supplemented by two additional strap-on booster units this time and not the four units which Hercules has used in the past. Also the Cocoon Cargo Carrier being lifted aloft by Hercules today is its C-2 variant meaning it is only half as tall as the normal full sized version. Whilst the payload contained within Cocoon may only be half the size of those previous launched into space it still plays a vital part in Carter�s far reaching and long term plans for NASA and America in space. Escorting the Hercules 2-B and its Cocoon C-2 variant on today�s launch, for as far as their speed will allow, are two of NASA�s advanced F-18 observation planes to act as airborne monitors for this first stage of the flight.