XCOR Aerospace and Space Adventures, Ltd., have a marketing agreement that enables Space Adventures to offer the first 600 flights to 62 miles (100 km) altitude aboard XCOR's Xerus (pronunciation: zEr'us) 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 spaceflight. 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."

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.

XCOR Aerospace is a California corporation located in Mojave, California. The company is in the business of developing and producing safe, reliable and re-usable rocket engines and rocket powered vehicles.

(From DOC report, Oct 2002)

General Description

XCOR's sub-orbital vehicle is a horizontal takeoff and horizontal landing single stage vehicle. The vehicle utilizes a cluster of four 2,000 lb thrust rocket engines, enabling it to reach altitudes of 62 miles (100 km). The vehicle does not use jet engines. For sub-orbital missions, the vehicle will take off and land from the same site.

Concept of Operations

XCOR's sub-orbital vehicle takes off horizontally using its four rocket engines. The vehicle returns to the launch site for an unpowered landing.

Growth Options

XCOR's sub-orbital vehicle can be fitted with an expendable upper stage to serve the low earth orbit micro-satellite market.

The Space Adventures sub-orbital spaceflight program [link to 1.2] may use the Xerus sub-orbital vehicle, or other vehicles as they become available.