Competition Shows 'Strength And Maturity' Of Emerging Industry

XCOR Aerospace, currently building and testing the first rocket-powered racing aircraft for Rocket Racing Inc., welcomed Wednesday the addition of Armadillo Aerospace as an additional rocket propulsion supplier to the League. As ANN reported earlier this week, Rocket Racing announced Monday that Armadillo will also supply engines to the RRL.

"In motor sports, the competition is not only between the men who drive or fly the machines, it is also between the manufacturers of the engines that power the racing vehicles," said Jeff Greason, CEO of Mojave-based XCOR. "We have always respected the work done by Armadillo Aerospace, and welcome their participation in this league. It is sign of the increasing strength and maturity of the entrepreneurial space industry that companies needing rocket propulsion technology have multiple suppliers to choose from."

Both the XCOR and Armadillo rocket engines and propulsion systems will be installed on airframes being built by Velocity Aircraft, of Florida. Rocket Racing announced the acquisition of the kit plane builder at the same time they introduced Armadillo as an additional engine supplier.

XCOR notes the two engines will produce similar thrust, but differ significantly in design. The XCOR engine uses a pump system to supply fuel and uses liquid oxygen and kerosene as propellants, whereas the Armadillo engine is pressure-fed, and uses alcohol and LOX as propellants.

Granger Whitelaw, CEO of the Rocket Racing League, said XCOR's graciousness is appreciated.

"Thank you XCOR for the kind words and support," said Whitelaw. "It is a great gesture that XCOR extends its hand to Armadillo as another entrant in the Rocket Racing League engine building business. It has always been our plan to create a research and development "test bed" where companies can not only show their own technology, but work together in concert through a racing series, to build an industry that supports not only general aviation advancement, but also the emerging suborbital and orbital space enterprises."

XCOR Aerospace is located in Mojave, CA. In addition to its efforts regarding RRL, XCOR also recently unveiled its Lynx two-seat suborbital spacecraft that is expected to make its first flight in 2010.

FMI: www.xcor.com, www.rocketracingleague.com