Sub-orbital Spaceflight - Future of Manned Sub-orbital Spaceflight

Future of Manned Sub-orbital Spaceflight

Private companies such as Virgin Galactic, XCOR, Armadillo Aerospace, Blue Origin and Masten Space Systems are taking an interest in sub-orbital spaceflight, due in part to ventures like the Ansari X Prize. NASA and others are experimenting with scramjet based hypersonic aircraft which may well be used with flight profiles that qualify as sub-orbital spaceflight. In addition, the VSS Enterprise is expected to begin manned sub-orbital flights starting in 2012, as is XCOR's Lynx (spacecraft). Non-profit entities like ARCASPACE and Copenhagen Suborbitals also attempt rocket-based launches.