NASA plans to develop hypersonic plane for manned mission to Mars

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NASA's Mars Exploration Rover Spirit captured this stunning view as the Sun sank below the rim of Gusev crater on Mars (Image: NASA/JPL/Texas A&M/Cornell)

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Over five years US$5 million will be spent on the research and development of a vehicle th...

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NASA has announced funding to develop a hypersonic fixed wing air/space vehicle capable of flight speeds between Mach 8 and Mach 20. Over five years US$5 million will be spent on the research and development of a vehicle that could one day take the first humans to Mars.

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