The XCOR Lynx Spacecraft full scale model, which was on display at Gordon McCall’s Motorworks Revival 2014 at the Monterey Jet Centre on August 13, 2014. (PRNewsFoto/XCOR Aerospace)
Califonria-based XCOR Aerospace has presented a full-scale model of its XCOR Lynx spacecraft as part of the August 13 Gordon McCall’s Motorworks Revival 2014 at the Monterey Jet Centre in California.
Dubbed a “Space Corvette” by Popular Mechanics, Lynx is a two-seat, fully reusable spaceplane designed to rocket XCOR customers to the edge of space in five minutes. Piloted by NASA Space Shuttle Commander Rick Searfoss, Lynx is currently under construction at the XCOR hangar in Mojave, California.
Participants in the unveiling festivities were able to step into the Lynx and experience firsthand what life would be like 100-plus kilometres above Earth. Lynx engineers were also present to discuss the spacecraft and answer questions.
“As the sports car of spacecraft, XCOR Lynx is being built with the same care and craftsmanship found under the hoods of the best cars [at Monterey] this week,” said XCOR representative Greg Claxton. “That itself is a revolution in design.”
Gordon McCall’s Motorworks Revival founder, Gordon McCall, noted that the event’s deep links with aviation history led to collaboration with XCOR Aerospace.
“This is truly a first in the intersection between the future of space exploration and luxury automobiles,” said McCall. “It’s the natural next step for us. As the first to merge both aviation and automotive into one event at Monterey Car Week, we are honoured to reach new heights with XCOR.”
The Lynx family of vehicles serves three primary missions: research and scientific missions and private spaceflight in the Lynx Mark I and Lynx Mark II, and micro satellite launch on the Lynx Mark III. Lynx production models are available to customers in the free world on a wet-lease basis for their own manned space flight programs. Learn more at xcor.com.
