Up Down in Smoke, from $360 Million to Zero in 11 seconds, NEXST goes back to the drawing board!
Detached at take-off, with the supporting rocket creating an impressive spiral firework before crashing into a mass of flames right next to the launch site, the National Aeronautics Laboratory of Japan NEXST supersonic prototype jet was destroyed on it's first test flight on the 13th of July 2002.
 

Strong winds at the Woomera site in South Australia (recently upgraded to the tune of $7 million at Japanese expense) delayed the test by 2 days.
National Aeronautics Laboratory of Japan scientist Kimio Sakata said:
"There is a little disappointment, however, this is the first step for the verification of our experimental technology so that we can have a good, successful launch. The team will have to investigate the technology and propulsion systems to figure out why the rocket separated early.  We have to redesign and remanufacture some of the components of the equipment, after that we'd like to have another launch."
  The National Aeronautics Laboratory of Japan team will still conduct 3 more test flights over the next year.
 

 Previously: The National Aeronautics Laboratory of Japan NEXST (National Experimental Supersonic Transport)
  On July the 11th near Woomera in the desert region of South Australia the National Aeronautics Laboratory (NAL) of Japan will be launching a supersonic prototype jet designed to fly at twice the speed of sound.  Nicknamed the NEXST the unmanned craft is expected to have a range of 12000 km, 75 % less polluting emissions and carry 300 passengers. The engineless prototype, a 10% scale of the future aircraft, will ride on a rocket then be thrown forward at 2730 kmph, landing after a flying time of 14 minutes using parachutes.  The main purpose of the test flight is to determine the viability of the aerodynamic profile of the plane developed using computer simulations aimed at halving the  supersonic boom sound associated with extreme speeds.
  Over the next two years the company has plans to incorporate US built engines and the NAL expects the jet to be available for commercial flights from 2012.  Due to agreements made with the US after the Second World War Japan has been restricted in it's ability to develop aviation expertise and has a lack of experienced researchers. 'There's a lack of experience and know-how, and in this field, experience and know-how count for a lot,' said Dr Hiromu Maeda, an aeronautics professor at Kyoto University.  'Safety is the paramount consideration. No matter how economical your plane is, it won't do any good unless it's absolutely safe.'

Boeing is intending to keep a close eye on the tests in South Australia as the plane rivals it's own Sonic Cruiser.