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
|
|
NASA to launch Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope in September
Posted: Sat, Apr 25 10:54 AM ET (1454 GMT) |
|
news links
|
|
Saturday, April 25
Where Did the Middle East Go? Satellite Imaging in the Fog of War
Bloomberg News — 11:18 am ET (1518 GMT) Creotech Instruments secures €52 million ESA contract to build Polish satellite constellation CAMILA
Creotech — 11:17 am ET (1517 GMT) Firefly Aerospace to Announce First Quarter 2026 Financial Results on May 4, 2026
Firefly Aerospace — 8:41 am ET (1241 GMT) Golden Dome dreams face harsh budget reality
POLITICO — 8:38 am ET (1238 GMT) Space Force’s Space Based Interceptor Program to Counter Growing Speed and Maneuverability of Modern Missile Threats in support of Golden Dome for America
US Space Force — 8:38 am ET (1238 GMT) |
