Companies announce suborbital space tourism vehicle
Posted: Tue, Jul 23, 2002, 8:59 AM ET (1259 GMT)
Space Adventures and XCOR Aerospace announced Monday plans to develop a reusable suborbital spacecraft to be used for space tourism flights. The Xerus would take off and land like an airplane but be able to take two people — a pilot and a passenger — to an altitude of 100 km. The hour-long flight would include several minutes of weightlessness, as well as the opportunity to see the Earth from space. The cost of developing the Xerus was not disclosed, but the companies said that test flights would begin 18 months after full funding was secured, with the vehicle entering revenues service 18 months after that. XCOR, which has tested rocket-powered aircraft with its EZ-Rocket, will develop and build the Xerus, while Space Adventures will handle the booking and training of passengers.
Space Adventures and XCOR Aerospace announced Monday plans to develop a reusable suborbital spacecraft to be used for space tourism flights. The Xerus would take off and land like an airplane but be able to take two people — a pilot and a passenger — to an altitude of 100 km. The hour-long flight would include several minutes of weightlessness, as well as the opportunity to see the Earth from space. The cost of developing the Xerus was not disclosed, but the companies said that test flights would begin 18 months after full funding was secured, with the vehicle entering revenues service 18 months after that. XCOR, which has tested rocket-powered aircraft with its EZ-Rocket, will develop and build the Xerus, while Space Adventures will handle the booking and training of passengers.
Related Links:
| <<previous article | next article>> |
|
news in brief
|
|
Starship explodes during preparations for static-fire test
Posted: Sun, Jun 22 6:52 AM ET (1052 GMT) |
|
news links
|
|
Thursday, July 3
Starlink Free to Launch Services in India Once IN-SPACe Approvals Are Complete: Jyotiraditya Scindia
IndUS Business Journal — 2:45 am ET (0645 GMT) Ahead of Musk’s Starlink launch, American satcom player Viasat expands India services
The Times of India — 2:44 am ET (0644 GMT) SpaceOps: Pentagon Reevaluating Future Data Transport Layer
Aviation Week — 2:42 am ET (0642 GMT) Jeff Bezos gave $100 million for a satellite. It just got lost in space
The Independent — 2:41 am ET (0641 GMT) SpaceX double launch lights up Florida sky, but most Volusia beachgoers don't notice
Daytona Beach (FL) News-Journal — 2:39 am ET (0639 GMT) |
