With the July 2001 announcement of the intended flight of a second space tourist (
Thawte Millionaire
Mark Shuttleworth), here is a list of some companies involved in commercial launch vehicles.
Developed the
ROTON, a reusable
capsule with
propellar blades to allow a gentle controlled decent. The company
liquidated in 2000 after several succesful test flights.
http://www.rotaryrocket.com/
Texan company started by a millionaire hobbyist in 1997.
Beal designed a traditional
rocket engine with more thrust than the
Saturn V. Beal Aerospace liquidated in October 2000 shortly after a succesful test of the
BA-810.
http://www.bealaerospace.com/
Private
rocket engine manufactureres. Awarded contract for NASA's second generation
reusable launch vehicle June 2001.
http://www.kistleraerospace.com/
Company with
track record of custom aircraft design and rocket design. Xcor succesfully performed a manned-flight of the
EZ-Rocket in July 2001. This vehicle has potential suborbital transport applications.
http://www.xcor-aerospace.com/