Free Republic

SALINA, Kan. - Long accustomed to its position at the center of the state and nation, this city is preparing to be the center of attention for the entire world. The Kansas crossroads city is the launch and landing point for adventurer Steve Fossett's record-setting attempt for the first solo nonrefueled trans-global flight next month. Fossett will pilot the Virgin Atlantic GlobalFlyer, designed by Burt Rutan and built by his Scaled Composites in Mojave, where it was unveiled a year ago. The project is backed by Virgin Chairman Sir Richard Branson, who also serves as back-up pilot. Salina Municipal Airport...

MOJAVE - XCOR Aerospace, home to cutting-edge rocket engine technology, is now the proud recipient of the nation's second space launch license. The company's neighbor at Mojave Airport, Scaled Composites, was granted the first-ever space launch license in April. XCOR's license differs somewhat in that it authorizes a rocket vehicle take-off from the ground. Scaled Composites' SpaceShipOne, in contrast, is air-launched from a carrier aircraft. The license also is unusual in that it was granted for a vehicle that is not yet built, said Rich Pournelle, XCOR's director of business development. "We've developed most of the technology to go inside...