Mr. RichardPage asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry when he envisages the initial studies of the horizontal take-off and landing proof of concept will be completed; and how the results will be processed.
§ Mr. PattieThe proof of concept studies I announced in February are part of a 24 month effort to probe the key technical aspects of this innovatory spaceplane. The studies will also provide essential market and cost analyses.
The magnitude of the technological challenge involved, and the attraction of HOTOL's high-launch capability, make it a natural candidate for international partnership. Accordingly, another purpose of the studies will be to consider the possibilities of international co-operation in this project, which I intend to discuss with Ministers and other member states of the European Space Agency later this year.