The vehicle can take off from a regular airport runway

May 2, 2012 14:33 GMT  ·  By
This is a rendition of the Vinci space plane concept proposed by ESA experts
   This is a rendition of the Vinci space plane concept proposed by ESA experts

A design that proposes an aircraft which can reach suborbital altitudes after taking off form a standard airport runway is currently being considered by experts at the European Space Agency (ESA). The organization is very interested in affordable access to these intermediary altitudes.

Conducting microgravity research at the edge of space is a priority for ESA, one that cannot be met with regular aircraft, weather balloons or satellites. In a new report, entitled “A Cryogenic Sub-orbital Spacecraft,” the agency details its proposal for the Vinci space plane, Space reveals.

The spacecraft would be able to carry 6 passengers and two pilots, and would use a rocket engine that is currently under development for the upper stage of the Ariane 5 rockets. The delivery systems are built for ESA by French company Arianespace.

Vinci would be able to reach altitudes of up to 62 miles (100 kilometers), but would not be capable of orbiting the planet. During each flight, passengers and pilots would experience several minutes of weightlessness, enough time to conduct numerous experiments and studies.