DARPA Picks Design for Next-Generation Spaceplane
(WorldNews Politics)

DARPA has selected The Boeing Company to complete advanced design work for the Agency`s Experimental Spaceplane (XS-1) program, which aims to build and fly the first of an entirely new class of hypersonic aircraft that would bolster national security by providing short-notice, low-cost access to space. The program aims to achieve a capability well out of reach today-launches to low Earth orbit in days, as compared to the months or years of preparation currently needed to get a single satellite on orbit. Success will depend upon significant advances in both technical capabilities and ground operations, but would revolutionize the Nation`s ability to recover from a catastrophic loss of...