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Two British firms, including Virgin, are looking into developing a rocket capable of putting small satellites in orbit, it has emerged. Virgin Galactic, which was set up by Sir Richard to take passengers on short, weightless trips in space   Photo: BLOOMBERG NEWS Surrey Satellite Technology (SSTL) and Sir Richard Branson's space travel venture Virgin Galactic want to build a device that can be launched from an aircraft and carry satellites hundreds of miles above the earth's surface. The concept would be similar to the US Pegasus system, which uses a regular aeroplane to launch a rocket into orbit. Virgin Galactic, which was set up by Sir Richard to take passengers on short, weightless trips in space, features a carrier jet known as WhiteKnightTwo. It is intended to lift the space tourists' rocket plane up to launch height. But SSTL and Virgin Galactic are working on the idea of using the aircraft as a platform to release a British satellite launcher. Dr Adam Baker from SST

Google, Yahoo and Nasa have backed a college which teaches students how to cope in a world where technology is smarter than humans. Critics of singularity believe such sophisticated technology could end up being a threat to man Photo: GETTY The Singularity University will be based at the space programme's Ames campus in Silicon Valley, USA. Its chancellor will be the controversial futurist Ray Kurzweil, whose 2005 book The Singularity is Near inspired the name of the school. He believes that the rapid rise of technology will enable machines in the near future to use artificial intelligence to make themselves cleverer than humans. Critics of singularity believe such sophisticated technology could end up being a threat to man. But Mr Kurzweil said it was important to realise the potential of technological development: "The law of accelerating returns means technology eventually will be a million more times powerful than it is today and cause profound transformation." Singul