More projects involving launch vehicle reuse, although this is "third generation" (1st gen Space Shuttle, 2nd gen Space-X and Blue Origins). Likely builds on the successful X-37 program. Looks like a key difference is DARPA wants a very rapid (1 day) flight turnaround, which is not a requirement of the other systems.
Boeing and the U.S. Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) are collaborating to design, build and test a technology demonstration vehicle for the Experimental Spaceplane (XS-1) program.
Boeing will develop an autonomous, reusable spaceplane capable of carrying and deploying a small expendable upper stage to launch small (3,000 pound/1,361 kg) satellites into low Earth orbit. Boeing and DARPA will jointly invest in the development. |
Key challenge:
| In the test phase of the program, Boeing and DARPA plan to conduct a demonstration of 10 flights over 10 days. |
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I posted, then went out to lunch and the thread was deleted due to being selected as an NFT (I guess mods can't change the type of thread).
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1 day turnaround might be great marketing, but in reality I don't see that happening once $$ gets involved.
But 3000 lbs to LEO? Seems a bit weak.
I think the only practical way we're going to see a rocket reuse within 24 hours is if they are air launched like the Pegasus rocket. Otherwise, you're going to run into ground servicing problems, pad integration issues and range conflicts.