DLR-SART is actively involved in the definition and in preliminary design studies of advanced supersonic and hypersonic transport. An important goal is the critical assessment of the suitability of such vehicles and their propulsion technology as first stages in future space transportation systems. In the 1990ies a large supersonic carrier plane has been investigated under the project name DSL as a potential first stage. This research is now on hold.
Further, SART has been participating in two EU-funded research activities: LAPCAT and ATLLAS