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.
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