HONG KONG, 11 July 2013. Space Expedition Corporation (SXC) is expanding into Asia, basing SXC Asia, the company’s Asia division, in Hong Kong with a focus on the space tourism industry.
SXC Asia is responsible for all the sales and marketing initiatives in the region, including recruiting and training highly qualified Space Tourism Specialists. The expansion will strengthen SXC's customer network in Asia, especially in Greater China, and take SXC one step closer to making space travel more accessible and affordable, says a representative.
"Investment in commercial space products and travel services is growing rapidly and SXC plays a big role in driving the development of the space tourism industry,” says Michiel Mol, CEO of SXC. “As a leader in this space and to stay ahead of the game, it made perfect sense for us to expand geographically to reach prospects in markets like China and Hong Kong, where we see increased curiosity and interest."
"I've always been intrigued by technology, space travel, what's going to happen in the future, but to lead a commercial space agency is a truly unique opportunity," says Alex Tang, the appointed CEO of SXC Asia. "To be a part of history and at the same time being able to realize my astronaut dream makes this the best job in the world!"
SXC Asia is selling flights under the SXC General Sales Agent relationship with the prominent aerospace company XCOR Aerospace. XCOR is expected to fly the first commercial participant into sub-space (60km above sea level) by mid-2014 aboard the XCOR Lynx prototype vehicle called Lynx Mark I.
The Lynx Mark II Production model will take participants into space (100 km above sea level) approximately 12 months after the Lynx Mark I commences commercial service. In the Lynx, the participant will sit in the co-pilot seat alongside the pilot-astronaut. Together with its 4-square meter wide cockpit canopy, the participant will truly be part of the mission and enjoy an optimal view of the Earth and space.
SXC will carry out flights into space using two different spacecraft. The current XCOR Lynx Mark I test spacecraft will take participants 60km above sea level, close to the edge of space while the XCOR Lynx Mark II will travel beyond 100km into sub-orbital space. Powered by 4 liquid fueled re-ignitable rocket engines, the XCOR Lynx spacecraft does not have to depend on a mother ship to launch. The spaceflight experience starts immediately from T+1. It reaches Mach 1 at T+60 seconds and Mach 2.9 at T+180 seconds.
Its body is constructed of lightweight materials, and is powered by common bio-fuels and reusable rocket propulsion. The engines are designed for more than 5,000 flights.
