Orbitec managed to pull out successful Vortex engine test flight. This is very interesting development, because it would make reusability of spacecrafts into realms of possibility. Reusability could potentially cut the launch costs into orbit by one or even two orders of magnitude.
SpaceX has already managed to cut the launch costs quite significantly, especially if the next generation of Falcon rockets is successful. But still physical realms are harsh that there are no big cost improvements available if there is no more reusability. —Jouni A novel twist on space launches In October, a small team of rocket scientists gathered in the middle of the Mojave Desert to watch a launch they hoped would help change space flight forever. http://www.bbc.com/future/story/20121219-a-novel-twist-on-space-launches “Our vortex generator eliminates the high temperatures at the inner surfaces of the engine. You can touch the exterior during lab-test firings and not get burned.” —Martin Chiaverini, principal propulsion engineer at Orbitec.
