According to Space.com, DARPA is planning on awarding design contracts in May.
“Key XS-1 technical goals include flying 10 times in 10 days, achieving speeds of Mach 10+ at least once and launching a representative payload to orbit,” reads a statement on DARPA’s website. “The program also seeks to reduce the cost of access to space for small (3,000- to 5,000-pound) payloads by at least a factor of 10, to less than $5 million per flight.”
“The program aims to develop a fully reusable unmanned vehicle that would provide aircraft-like access to space,” the statement continues. “The vehicle is envisioned to operate from a “clean pad” with a small ground crew and no need for expensive specialized infrastructure. This setup would enable routine daily operations and flights from a wide range of locations. XS-1 seeks to deploy small satellites faster and more affordably, while demonstrating technology for next-generation space and hypersonic flight for both government and commercial users.”
Read more: http://www.space.com/24639-united-states-military-space-plane-xs1.html
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