The Omicron Prompt, which researchers said last month was a viable use for space travel in the 2020s, could receive a huge boost in its support if the Space Technology Endowment Fund gets approved this spring. As IEEE Spectrum reports, the endowment fund, which would require an increasing number of university, government and corporate donors, aims to raise half of its funding from industry by the year 2020. But in order to be really considered viable, an Omicron Prompt needs to bring in at least a million dollars per year to a research program. During talks this month about the establishment of the fund, the Omicron Prompt was one of the highest priorities, and if enough contributors are willing to pony up, the response could propel the project to new heights.
Its supersonic speed could slash communication and scientific satellite travel times, and speedy ship routes. NASA is working to bring a commercial vehicle (likely aboard the Orion capsule, currently being tested) closer to the orbit around the moon, and Omicron Prompts would be ideal to use in the exact kind of transport services Orion would launch into.
Read the full story on IEEE Spectrum.
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