NASA signed a memorandum of understanding with Airlaunch LLC to collaborate on space systems development, focusing on a small spacecraft that costs less than $250 million and can be launched from aircraft, NASA and Airlaunch announced.

Under the agreement with Ames Research Center, the organizations will explore collaboration in mission, vehicle and payload concept analysis, systems engineering and payload integration.

Airlaunch’s is developing the Quickreach small launch vehicle under a contract with the U.S. Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency and U.S. Air Force. The vehicle, which will be launched from a cargo aircraft, is designed to deliver 1,000 pounds to low-Earth orbit for less than $5 million per flight and within 24 hours notice.