 Mockup of Lynx spaceplane | |
| Function | Crewed suborbital launch and reentry |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer | XCOR Aerospace |
| Size | |
| Stages | 1 |
| First stage | |
| Engines | 4 |
| Thrust | 2,900 pounds |
| Propellant | LOX-kerosene |
The XCOR Lynx was a proposed suborbital horizontal-takeoff, horizontal-landing (HTHL), rocket-powered spaceplane that was under development by the California-based company XCOR Aerospace to compete in the emerging suborbital spaceflight market. The Lynx was intended to carry one pilot, a ticketed passenger, and/or a payload above 100 kilometres (62 mi) altitude. The concept was under development since 2003, when a two-person suborbital spaceplane was announced under the name Xerus.
In January 2016, XCOR changed plans for the first flight of the Lynx spaceplane. It was initially planned for the second quarter of 2016 from the Midland spaceport in Texas,[1] but, in early 2016, it was pushed to an "undisclosed and tentative" date at the Mojave spaceport.[2]
In May 2016,[3] XCOR announced development of the Lynx had been halted with layoffs of approximately one-third of the staff; the company intended to concentrate on development of their liquid hydrogen rocket under contract with United Launch Alliance, instead.[4]
Following the bankruptcy of XCOR Aerospace in 2017, the assets of the company were sold to the nonprofit organization Build A Plane, which will focus on education rather than suborbital flight.[5]
- ^ Druzin, Rye (2015-09-08). "MSDC president: Lynx will launch from Midland this fiscal year". Midland Reporter-Telegram. Archived from the original on 2022-05-27. Retrieved 2022-05-27.
- ^ Mulder, Brandon (2016-01-17). "XCOR officials refrain from disclosing date for Lynx test flights". Midland Reporter-Telegram. Archived from the original on 2022-05-27. Retrieved 2022-05-27.
- ^ Pappalardo, Joe (2016-05-31). "The XCOR Lynx Spaceplane Might Be Down for the Count". Popular Mechanics. Archived from the original on 2016-06-11. Retrieved 2022-05-27.
- ^ Foust, Jeff (2016-05-31). "XCOR lays off employees to focus on engine development". SpaceNews. Archived from the original on 2016-10-19. Retrieved 2022-05-27.
- ^ Messier, Douglas (2018-04-20). "Bankrupt Spaceflight Company's Space Plane Assets to Help Young Minds Soar". Space.com. Archived from the original on 2022-05-27. Retrieved 2022-05-27.