The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) is ending for now its plans to develop a platform capable of launching small satellites from fighter aircraft. Problems with the Airborne Launch Assist Space Access (ALASA), when tests conducted in November showed the need for a safer monopropellant. The tests used a combination of nitrous oxide and acetylene. Work will continue on the project, DARPA said in a statement. Once successful, such launches could prove much more cost effective than current methods. While conventional satellite launches cost about $30,000 per pound to execute, ALASA could send 100-pound satellites into low orbit for less than $1 million per launch, within 24 hours of call-up.