The Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency wants to air launch a suborbital demonstrator by 2014 to test technologies for its planned two-stage to orbit advanced space transport system. The technologies are for reusability, health monitoring and aircraft-like operability. Released at 36,000ft (11,000m) at a speed of about 456kt (845km/h), the vehicle would fire its rocket engines to reach 100km (62miles) and glide back for a runway landing. JAXA is interested in using Virgin Galactic's WhteKnight Two as a carrier aircraft.
Source: Flight International
