Tue, Jul 30, 2002
XCOR
Aerospace and Space Adventures, Ltd., announced a marketing
agreement that enables Space Adventures to offer flights to 62
miles (100 km) altitude aboard XCOR’s Xerus sub-orbital
vehicle, designed specifically for space tourist flights.
“Our experience building and flying the EZ-Rocket airplane
has shown that we can fly rocket-powered vehicles multiple times
per day with a small ground crew,” said XCOR CEO Jeff
Greason. “By developing rocket engines that have essentially
gas-and-go operation, we can operate at a fraction of the cost of
competitive vehicles.”
The
Xerus vehicle project has begun preliminary design including
development of XCOR’s next-generation rocket engine and
propulsion system using non-toxic propellants. The Xerus will be
capable of flying one pilot and one Space Adventures paying
passenger on a one-hour sub-orbital space flight. At the peak of
its parabolic trajectory, passengers will experience several
minutes of weightlessness and see the Earth from space.
“XCOR’s recent successes with the EZ-Rocket has
demonstrated their determination to push the envelope,” said
Space Adventures President and CEO Eric Anderson. “We look
forward to offering our clients the opportunity to fly aboard the
Xerus.”
“It’s a good division of labor between the
companies,” continued Greason. “XCOR, experienced at
building flight hardware, can focus on completing the vehicle,
while Space Adventures will handle all other aspects including
booking and training passengers.”
The Xerus takes off and lands like a conventional aircraft
According to a recent study commissioned by Space Adventures,
the sub-orbital space tourist market could generate revenues of
over $1 billion annually. Space Adventures has over 100 sub-orbital
reservations and is currently accepting bookings for sub-orbital
flights at $98,000.
Completion of the Xerus is conditional to securing financing.
Assuming full funding, XCOR expects that it will take eighteen
months to begin flight tests and three years before entering
revenue service.
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