Test Flight Of Space-Hopper Reusable Launch Vehicle

!splut writes: "A New Scientist article reports that Pheonix, the prototype of a new reusable space launch vehicle nicknamed the Space-Hopper, has been cleared for its first test flight. The vehicle is designed to take off horizontally and use a disposable booster to reach orbit, though the prototype will be dropped from a helicopter for the test flight. If the European Space Agency decides to continue development it could reduce the cost of launching small to medium-sized satellites, and could be ready by 2015." A better story is running at space.com.

Comments

Good for the European Space agency!

[uncoveror]

An unmanned, horizontally launching, space shuttle. Good for the European Space Agency! NASA's low-tech cost-cutting plan, the X-4000 Launch Aparatus might be the best we can do here in the states.