Development of Ascender is at present being funded privately.
Discussions are in hand with potential investors and strategic partners.
The Ascender sub-orbital spaceplane is designed to carry passengers on space experience flights and spearhead low cost access to space. The backers hope it will start a sub-orbital space tourism business that would build up the credibility needed for full orbital tourism. It is based on a design included in a feasibility study for the European Space Agency. Four leading British aerospace companies took part in this study, Dowty Aerospace Limited, Dunlop Aerospace Limited, Pilkington Aerospace Limited and Ricardo Aerospace Limited. The first commercial application of the Ascender will be the Spacecab.