
This team is the only Russian entry to
the X-Prize. The following extract comes from the X-Prize site. there
does not seem to be a Sub-Orbital website. "Take-off and landing will
take place from the same location. Initial flights will be conducted out
of a Russian Air Force facility. The M55 aircraft will be modified by
the addition to two 2000 Kg thrust solid rocket boosters. The aircraft
takes off under normal kerosene powered jet engines. Once in flight the
M55 ignites the SRB's at altitude to
gain additional velocity and a positive angle of attack. At this point the
single solid rocket motor, a 7,000 kilogram motor with an ISP of 290 seconds,
will ignite and take the spacecraft to 100 kilometres altitude.
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The spaceship has a reaction control system (cold gas) for attitude control
while in space. The spaceship utilizes heat-resistant shuttle tiles for its
thermal control system during re-entry. The spaceship has no propulsion during
the landing phase and returns to its takeoff site as a glider."

It is not clear what is going on here.
The pictures shown don't seem to match up with the text. The lower image seems
to be a photo. If the "M55" is in the background, what is the
rocket-plane-like vehicle in the foreground? It will be worth keeping an eye on
this project to see if anything is going to happen, but it is not promising,
right now.

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