(snip)As for where space starts, NASA says it starts at 50 miles aka 80 km, however the Federation Internationale Aeronautique says its 62 km, which will be the peak altitude of the Lynx. http://knowledgenews.net/moxie/science/space-atmosphere-2.shtml This is also the altitude SS1 went to to win the X-Prize, so as far as most people are concerned, thats space thar.
If I'm going to be a space tourist (and hopefully some day I will), I'd rather ride a vehicle that rocket's off the pad rather than gets pulled up by WKII. With a two vehicle system there's too much to go wrong. Plus it just seems more exciting.
While I'm sure Dear Leader will have apoplexies each time the Lynx launches (just call it Kim's Defibrillator), is this going to be used for training astronauts or performing science or tourism or what combination?
Working closely with its partners, Yecheon Astro Space Center has formed a broad coalition of regional and national entities to fund the approximately $30 Million project to bring the Lynx to Yecheon for space tourism, educational, scientific and environmental monitoring missions, making it the early leader in commercial manned space flight in Asia.
Quote from: cgrunska on 10/07/2009 07:32 pmAnyone hear heard of this company? They claim to be nearing completion of a rocket that will fly like a jet to the upper bounds of the atmosphere and then launch into space, and have a methane based engine. Just curious if they are viableAs far as if their business plan is viable, well, that's certainly up to debate! Just like every business venture, no one really knows until they've been operating for a couple years with paying customers and making a profit after all is said and done. (BTW, they can have a pretty short and inexpensive turnaround time since all they have to do is refuel and change passengers, so if they had enough customers, I think they could cut their price per flight to around $10,000-$20,000)
Anyone hear heard of this company? They claim to be nearing completion of a rocket that will fly like a jet to the upper bounds of the atmosphere and then launch into space, and have a methane based engine. Just curious if they are viable
Quote from: Robotbeat on 10/07/2009 07:50 pmQuote from: cgrunska on 10/07/2009 07:32 pmAnyone hear heard of this company? They claim to be nearing completion of a rocket that will fly like a jet to the upper bounds of the atmosphere and then launch into space, and have a methane based engine. Just curious if they are viableAs far as if their business plan is viable, well, that's certainly up to debate! Just like every business venture, no one really knows until they've been operating for a couple years with paying customers and making a profit after all is said and done. (BTW, they can have a pretty short and inexpensive turnaround time since all they have to do is refuel and change passengers, so if they had enough customers, I think they could cut their price per flight to around $10,000-$20,000)Isn't their quoted price per flight something like $40,000?I could actually afford it. And I'm not the only one on nasaspaceflight.com who can. ;-)
Quote from: DiggyCoxwell on 12/21/2009 08:27 pmQuote from: Robotbeat on 10/07/2009 07:50 pmQuote from: cgrunska on 10/07/2009 07:32 pmAnyone hear heard of this company? They claim to be nearing completion of a rocket that will fly like a jet to the upper bounds of the atmosphere and then launch into space, and have a methane based engine. Just curious if they are viableAs far as if their business plan is viable, well, that's certainly up to debate! Just like every business venture, no one really knows until they've been operating for a couple years with paying customers and making a profit after all is said and done. (BTW, they can have a pretty short and inexpensive turnaround time since all they have to do is refuel and change passengers, so if they had enough customers, I think they could cut their price per flight to around $10,000-$20,000)Isn't their quoted price per flight something like $40,000?I could actually afford it. And I'm not the only one on nasaspaceflight.com who can. ;-)$98K is the number I recall.
XCOR are now taking reservations for flights aboard the Lynx in early 2012, priced at $95,000!www.prweb.com/releases/2010/space-tourism/prweb4268804.htm