Fundamental Technology Systems 

Fundamental Technology Systems is planning a horizontal all-rocket spaceplane design. Brakes are released at half-throttle starting the take-off roll. At 110 knots Aurora is rotated for lift-off. The climb attitude is continually increased to maintain subsonic flight until above 60,000 feet. At 80,000 feet, and with a flight path angle nearly 75 degrees above the horizon, the engine is commanded to 100% power. The main engine cuts off and Aurora coasts in a ballistic trajectory above 350,000 feet. In preparation for re-entry, the pilot uses the RCS to orient Aurora into the initial deceleration attitude, and the flight path angle is decreased until a turn-back toward the departure field can be initiated. The best glide profile is commanded until the downwind initial point for landing is achieved. That text is what is given on the X-Prize site. At the time of writing, the web-site is sort-of down, with a picture of a sports-car concept being displayed. Now that's not a good sign, is it?

The propulsion is simply given as "liquid-fuel, variable thrust". The team is based in Orlando, Florida, USA. It is not clear what progress has been made, if any, to realising the design. The image, by its appearance was produced by a CAD package, or some such, suggesting that no metal has yet been cut. Don't hold your breath. As of April 2004, there is still no sign of activity on the web. Thumbs down, I think.