by Dr. Patrick Collins

50 years ago today the prototype of the supersonic SR.53 rocket-powered interceptor aircraft made its first test flight at RAE Boscombe Downs, England. Over the following year, the two prototypes flew 42 times, including supersonically, but after an unexplained crash the project was cancelled. The planned function of high-altitude interception was fulfilled by the "Lightning" aircraft which was being developed at much the same time. Although the Lightnings were much loved by pilots, and became famous as world record-holders for high-speed climb, they could not of course leave the atmosphere as a rocket-powered vehicle could have.

by Dr. Patrick Collins

The reusable VTOL rocket developed and first flown in 1999 at the Institute for Space and Astronautical Science (ISAS) in Japan has been upgraded and reflown successfully.

In an interview with _Space News_ (July 12, p 1) NASA Administrator Dan Goldin stated his view that taxpayers should increase NASA funding in order to develop reusable launch vehicles that will lower the cost of access to space.

The official unveiling and static display of the Atmospheric Test Vehicle (ATV) of the "Roton" piloted launch vehicle under development by Rotary Rocket Inc is to be web-cast at www.rollout.org

Rotary Rocket Inc is currently front-runner in the race to develop private piloted launch vehicles - which will eventually be capable of carrying customers to and from orbit and beyond.

At ESA's Workshop on Space Exploration and Resources Exploitation (ExploSpace) held in Sardinia in October 20-22, there were sessions on a variety of longer-term possibilities in space, including Space Solar Power, Space Mining, Exploration, and Business & Financing. In the face of growing recognition of the potential of space tourism a session was also held on "Access to Space, Space Tourism and Public Outreach" in which three papers addressed the subject of space tourism seriously.

The Launch Cost Reduction Bill, a new Senate bill that would allow NASA to provide loan guarantees of up to $400 million to help chosen companies raise funding for new launch vehicle development, has become the focus of a fierce controversy.

Aerospace America published an interview with Richard Christiansen, NASA's acting associate administrator of aeronautics and space transportation technology in which he discussed NASA's plans for space access, among other topics.

The US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) which was given responsibility for regulating commercial space activities in 1995 (though the funding authority remains different from that of the rest of the FAA) has started a study on how best to merge the monitoring and handling of aircraft traffic with rockets and space vehicles that travel to and from outer space.