[phantomworker]

Since this is being designed for private entrepreneurs, I'm guessing they're not doing it with Space Shuttle-type vehicles in mind. If there are humans going up in these things, I would assume that the method of coming back down to the surface will involve mostly parachutes.

I think you are serious. What type of vehicles do you think they have in mind?

[inquest]

Stuff similar to what the X-Prize people used, I guess. The impression I'm getting here is that Wisconsin wants to get a leg up on this space tourism business. I do know that the winner of the X-Prize wants to open up such a business. Last I heard, he's already booking reservations for $200,000 a seat, which is well within the range of a lot of rich people. It's only a trip up into space and then back down (it doesn't even circle the earth), but it's a start. If it turns out to be profitable, it could quite possibly expand to orbital flights and beyond.

[olde north church]

Why limit vehicle design to those from launch pads when the easiest solution is to launch from piggy-backing off high altitude aircraft?