EADS Astrium displays space plane
EADS Astrium (Stand H23) is displaying a model of its proposed Space Plane, which would require seven years of development between actual program launch an

EADS Astrium (Stand H23) is displaying a model of its proposed Space Plane, which would require seven years of development between actual program launch and first commercial flight. Hugues Laporte-Weywada, the company’s senior vice president for industrial globalization, told AIN that Astrium’s goal is to produce a certified aircraft that would be more flexible than the in-development Virgin Galactic SpaceShipTwo, and could reach an altitude of 330,000 feet.

The Space Plane is the size of a Gulfstream or Falcon business jet. Its two air-breathing engines would thus be taken from an existing business jet application. For the second phase of the flight, beginning at 40,000 feet, a 100,000-pound-class rocket engine using liquid methane and oxygen would take over. Laporte-Weywada said a certified craft could take off from any international airport.