Seeing the price tag might have dashed your hopes for a genuine space odyssey, but hey, the company Xtraordinary Adventures is doing Richard Branson’s Virgin Galactic one better by offering a flight beyond the Earth’s atmosphere for half of Virgin’s whopping $200,000.
The maiden voyage is scheduled for 2012, and interested parties have to cough up a $20,000 deposit/reservation plus a four-day training session and a weekend seminar. This comprehensive preparation ensures that participants are well-equipped for the unique experience of space travel, covering everything from safety protocols to the physical demands of spaceflight.
The Lynx: A Reusable Spacecraft
True to its “affordable” price, Xtraordinary Adventures’ vehicle of choice is the Lynx. Dubbed a “reusable spacecraft,” the Lynx isn’t exactly a spaceship in the true sense of the word. Unlike traditional spacecraft that are designed for extended missions, the Lynx is built for short, suborbital flights. Powered by four jet engines, once it begins to ferry passengers spaceward, it can only linger at the edge of space for a bit before returning to base for refueling. This brief sojourn into space offers passengers a taste of weightlessness and a breathtaking view of Earth from above.
The Lynx’s design emphasizes reusability and efficiency. Each flight is relatively short, lasting about 30 minutes from takeoff to landing. This allows for multiple flights per day, making space travel more accessible and less costly. The spacecraft’s compact size and advanced engineering enable it to take off and land on conventional runways, eliminating the need for specialized launch facilities.
The Experience of Space Travel
Multiply this by four, and you have what Xtraordinary Adventures dubs “space travel.” While it may not be a journey to Mars or a prolonged stay on the International Space Station, the experience is nothing short of extraordinary. Passengers will experience the thrill of acceleration as the Lynx ascends, the awe-inspiring view of the curvature of the Earth, and the sensation of weightlessness as they float in the cabin.
The four-day training session is designed to prepare participants for these unique sensations. Training includes simulated flights, physical conditioning, and briefings on the spacecraft’s systems and safety procedures. The weekend seminar provides additional insights into the history and future of space travel, offering a deeper appreciation of the journey.
So unless you’re willing to wait a few more decades before either the Starship Enterprise or the Millennium Falcon is built, perhaps Xtraordinary Adventures is up to something here. The company aims to democratize space travel, making it accessible to a broader audience. By offering a more affordable alternative to Virgin Galactic, Xtraordinary Adventures is paving the way for a new era of commercial spaceflight.
In addition to individual thrill-seekers, the company envisions catering to researchers and educators. The Lynx’s suborbital flights provide a unique platform for scientific experiments and educational outreach. Schools and universities could potentially send experiments or even students on these flights, fostering a new generation of space enthusiasts and scientists.
The future of space travel is undoubtedly exciting, and companies like Xtraordinary Adventures are at the forefront of this burgeoning industry. As technology advances and costs continue to decrease, the dream of space travel may soon become a reality for many more people. Whether you’re an adventurer, a scientist, or simply a dreamer, the opportunity to journey beyond our planet is closer than ever before.
via slashgear
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