Companies Will Join Forces Hoping To Build Landers For NASA

While humans won't be returning to the moon, or landing on any other planets anytime soon, NASA still plans deep-space research that will include unmanned landings on near-Earth objects and neighboring planets. With that in mind, XCOR Aerospace and Masten Space Systems have announced a strategic business and technology relationship to jointly pursue those anticipated NASA sponsored unmanned lander projects. These automated lander programs are expected to serve as robotic test beds on Earth, on the lunar surface, Mars, near Earth objects and other interplanetary locales, helping NASA push the boundaries of technology and opening the solar system for future human exploration.

Masten's award winning  automated vertical take off, vertical landing (VTVL) flight vehicles combined with XCOR's strong experience in liquid oxygen (LOX) / methane powered propulsion systems and nonflammable cryogenically compatible composite tanks, bring to NASA a powerful and competitive combination of innovative talent with a proven record of producing exceptional results quickly and affordably.

Last October, Masten won the $1 million first prize  for Level II of NASA's Lunar Lander Challenge, beating out a host of New Space rivals, and demonstrating they are the leading VTVL development group in the country. In 2007, XCOR Aerospace's LOX/methane engine, developed for NASA, was named by Time Magazine as one of the "Inventions of the Year," recognizing XCOR's successive advancement in the state of the art of both pump and pressure fed reusable, throttle-able rocket propulsion systems. XCOR and Masten have also demonstrated the ability to rapidly take, from concept to live fire, new propulsion and control system designs using innovative rapid prototyping techniques that surpass client requirements in much shorter periods of time than traditional aerospace methods.

Masten Xombie

"Masten Space and XCOR are next door neighbors here in Mojave, said Masten Space Systems founder and President Dave Masten. "We've worked together on many tactical problems over the years and our corporate cultures mesh well. Working together on something like this simply made too much sense. We can't wait to start working with Jeff, Dan, and the XCOR team to help NASA build affordable and responsive landing platforms."

"Our company work ethic and styles are very compatible, and with XCOR propulsion and Masten VTVL technology, we can solve problems of national interest, and I am excited about the possibilities," said Jeff Greason, CEO and Founder of XCOR.

XCOR Engine Test

Andrew Nelson, Chief Operating Officer of XCOR added, "It's a no brainer, Dave's team is the absolute best New Space company when it comes to VTVL and autopilot unmanned operations - they demonstrated that in October by winning NASA's lander challenge. And we feel our LOX/methane engines are unsurpassed in the trade space today by anyone. We should bring this tandem set of best in class capabilities to NASA, it just makes sense for them and for us."

XCOR and Masten will be jointly marketing their skill sets and services to the NASA community as prime contractors, and as joint teaming partners for larger systems integrators and prime contractors servicing the NASA community.

FMI: www.xcor.com, www.masten-space.com