SXC Plans To Begin Flying In January, 2014
Scuba divers already recognize the island of Curaçao as
a jumping off place to explore "inner space." Monday, Space
Experience Curaçao (SXC) and XCOR Aerospace, Inc. announced
the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) for the wet
lease of a production version of the Lynx suborbital spacecraft,
pending United States government approvals to station the vehicle
on the island of Curaçao in the Netherlands Antilles. With a
planned start date in January 2014, SXC will market, and XCOR will
operate, suborbital space tourism flights and scientific research
missions out of Space Port Curaçao.
Recently, the Curaçao government and airport authority
announced their intentions of investigating and creating the
conditions suitable for the formation of a vibrant and active
commercial space flight services industry. An investigation of the
legal and regulatory framework necessary to enable a robust flight
services industry in Curaçao has commenced. Investment in
the spaceport infrastructure and operator has been committed and
made by Curaçao Airport Holding, N.V., the company
responsible for overseeing Curaçao airport operator.
SXC is the entity chosen by the Curaçao government and
airport holding company to create a robust suborbital space flight
business focused on research missions, space tourism, and science
& technology education. SXC has in turn selected the XCOR Lynx
as its vehicle of choice for Curaçao operations.
Artist's Rendering
"SXC has chosen the Lynx due to its innovative but
straightforward and robust design, as well as its enormous
commercial potential and competitive viability" said Ben Droste,
Co-Founder and Managing Partner of SXC. "The combination of the
Lynx experience with the beautiful and highly suitable location of
the Caribbean Island of Curaçao is a winning experience in
our book. Spaceflight participants will not only have the
incredible experience of flying in XCOR's Lynx spacecraft beyond
Earth's atmosphere, they will have the added benefit of taking off
from and returning to one of the world's best vacation
destinations."
"Space Experience Curaçao, with the strong support of
Curaçao Airport Holding, has worked diligently to secure
this MOU with XCOR" remarked SXC Co-Founder and Managing Partner,
Harry Van Hulten, "with the full support of the government of
Curaçao, the Netherlands and thanks to the vision and
entrepreneurial spirit of Curaçao Airport Holding, SXC is in
the position of making this first concrete step in procuring a Lynx
Mark II wet lease contract."
Artist's Rendering
"Building on our international wet-lease agreements model, XCOR
is committed to continuing coordination efforts with the US
Departments of State, Defense and Commerce and other relevant US
agencies regarding export control and operation of suborbital
vehicles at non-US locations," said XCOR COO, Andrew Nelson. "We
think the wet lease model enables us to address these issues, while
allowing us to continue to create new high technology jobs, compete
effectively in international markets, and provide our clients like
SXC, and their clients, an incredible experience and valuable
service - we can't wait to fly from Curaçao!"
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