XCOR SPACE EXPEDITIONS The age in which civilians could only experience space through sci-fi films or news articles is coming to an end; soon even “ordinary” people can become part of a mission to the cosmos. XCOR Space Expeditions believes that “space belongs to everyone.” For USD 100,000, the company offers one-hour-long trips to space with just one person and a pilot. Passengers can sit in the cockpit and observe the pilot’s every move, feel the adrenaline rush as they barrel towards the sky at Mach three speeds, and witness first-hand a view of Earth that only 545 people have ever seen before. The cockpit is outfitted with a 4m2 canopy for a truly unparalleled visual experience, while passengers are given pilot nicknames so that they feel less like cargo and more authentic astronauts. “...claim membership to the exclusive group of people who have seen Earth from outer space.” The company’s two spacecraft—the Lynx Mark I and II—depart from either Spaceport Curacao or Spaceport Mojave. The Mark II model reaches apogee at 61km, while the Mark I reaches apogee at 103km - three kilometers past the official frontier of outer space. During a typical launch, the spacecraft takes off horizontally and ascends rapidly for three minutes. After the first minute, the craft will break the sound barrier; after three, it will be travelling faster than a bullet. The pilot will then turn off the engines and allow the spaceship to continue towards its apogee, where you will feel the unique thrill of weightlessness. Upon re-entry into the Earth’s atmosphere, the craft will be subject to 4Gs of force for about 25 seconds - as XCOR Space Expeditions put it: “this is no picnic.” For those thirsting for adventure, XCOR Space Expeditions invites you to consider a journey beyond this world. As the commercial spaceflight industry continues to grow, a flight with XCOR Space Expeditions is a chance to be still one of the first to claim membership to the exclusive group of people who have seen Earth from outer space. sasha@societymagazine.net
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