XCOR Technology
The revolutionary Lynx suborbital vehicle is developed and powered by XCOR Aerospace, an industry leader in reusable rocketry. Since the company’s founding in 1999, XCOR has developed, patented and holds trade secrets and know-how on a number of key, critical and enabling technologies and processes that allow low-cost and more environmentally friendly access to space.
XCOR developed, tested and flew the first private manned liquid fueled rocket powered aircraft, the EZ-Rocket. The company has since built, tested and flown a second generation of liquid fueled rocket powered aircraft. Additionally, XCOR has produced other industry firsts with their reusable liquid fueled rocket engines, such as the “green technology” 7,500 lb thrust methane/liquid oxygen (LOX) engine built for NASA.
These developments have been recognized by industry participants and the broad media through awards and accolades such as the presentation of Time Magazine’s “Inventions of the Year Award”, twice (2001 and 2007), Inc. Magazine’s “Fastest Growing Companies in the United States” (2007), Space Frontier Foundation’s “Pioneering Spaceflight Provider” (2006), Scientific American’s “50” (2002) for technological achievements, Popular Science’s 15th Annual “Best of What’s New” in the Aviation and Space category, and Esquire’s “Best and Brightest of 2002” recognizing XCOR founder Dan Delong as a revolutionary leader who is changing the world for the better through low-cost access to space.
XCOR has successfully produced two generations of high-performance rocket planes. Both vehicles have set records for reliability and turnaround time for rocket-powered aircraft; key factors in safe, low-cost operations. Highly reusable, high performance low-weight rocket engines are the most difficult space flight technology to develop. XCOR has made more than 65 flights of its rocket-powered aircraft without an injury or damage to the aircraft; fired its engines more than 3,600 times and ran them for a cumulative time of more than seven and a half hours; and not lost a single minute of company time due to injuries resulting from rocket operations. XCOR’s unparalleled achievements have paved the way for the next generation of rocket-powered aircraft – the Lynx Suborbital Vehicle.
Introducing the Lynx
It is with great pride that RocketShip Tours introduces you to the Lynx, XCOR Aerospace’s entry into the suborbital space transportation market. As XCOR’s third generation of rocket-powered vehicles, Lynx is a revolutionary vehicle using non-toxic propellants: kerosene and liquid oxygen. After thousands of test-firings, XCOR’s engines have proven themselves to be durable, long lasting and among the safest in the industry.
Lynx incorporates many safety features. The liquid propellant rocket engines can be shut off in an emergency, or restarted, if necessary. In the event of an emergency, it can land just like an airplane. Like commercial jet transports, Lynx covers its engines with containment rings to protect the vehicle and crew. Most rockets do not use this sort of safety system. Finally, the simplicity of the Lynx’s design provides additional safety margins because fewer things can go wrong.
The canopy of the Lynx provides a majestic view of Earth and inky blackness of space. Sitting in the co-pilot’s seat beside the astronaut-pilot, you gaze upward, forward, and on either side. The Lynx provides you with an intimate and immediate experience of going where so few have gone before – the edge of space.
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