The Astrium space division of Europe's biggest aerospace company, EADS, disclosed June 13 the basic design of a space plane it proposes to build to carry wealthy tourists to 100 kilometers in altitude for several minutes of weighdessness. The result of two years of un-publicized work by a small team of Astrium engineers, the plane features two conventional jet engines and a central rocket engine powered by liquid methane and liquid oxygen. In its general shape and size, it resembles a business jet with two exceptionally long wings — and windows whose number and location are designed for passengers floating freely in the cabin.
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