By Javid Hassan
An American aerospace company and its partner are offering a unique opportunity that will allow the rich and the famous in India, among other countries, to fly up to the edge of space and have their space ride video-recorded that will forever remain etched in their memory.
This exciting offer from California-based XCOR Aerospace and Arizona-based RocketShip Tours will also enable major organizations in the country to utilize satellite imagery for environmental protection, better harnessing of natural resources for economic development or urban planning.
“We are looking very closely at the Middle East, India and other countries for sales, not only of rides, but of the Lynx vehicles themselves,” Doug Graham, media executive of California-based XCOR Aerospace, announced yesterday from its headquarters in Mojave (CA). The number of millionaires in India has crossed one lakh mark, making it the world's second fastest growing nation after Singapore.
India has over one lakh high net worth individuals (HNWI), with a net asset of at least one million dollar, marking an increase of 20.5 per cent compared to last year. Singapore, which posted a 21.2 per cent rate of growth last year, ranked first, according to the World Wealth Report released by Merrill Lynch and Cap Gemini.
In an exclusive statement to HNN, Doug, who had earlier worked as a journalist in Saudi Arabia, said it will be “a real trophy asset, because its low operating costs make it a real profit center for providing suborbital space rides. Also, our partner will be happy to work with travel agents based anywhere in India, the GCC states and elsewhere to promote space tours.”
Spelling out the highlights of the suborbital space ride program, Doug said “what is really exciting is the fact that it allows a country to establish its own space research program, without investing billions, or hundreds of millions of dollars. We are planning a version of the Lynx, a suborbital vehicle, that will be able to either carry a passenger, or a small satellite and booster, so that a nation could launch micro satellites into low earth orbit to conduct their own research. And the Lynx will be less expensive than many business jets. It is actually easier to maintain than a turbine jet aircraft.”
He said the new suborbital ride to the edge of space is the brain child of Jules Klar, founder of Phoenix, AZ-based RocketShip Tours , a travel entrepreneur who introduced hundreds of thousands of Americans to European travel in the 1960’s. He has now taken luxury travel to new heights—the edge of space.
In this context, Jules Klar announced that his company will immediately begin selling rides to the edge of space for $95,000 per flight. The offer, also available to participants from India and the GCC states, will enable them to fly aboard the Lynx, a two-seater suborbital vehicle being built by California-based XCOR Aerospace.
“Years ago, my dream was to introduce the world to new travel opportunities at prices that were consistent with a unique experience,” said Klar. “In 1961 I created $5-A-Day Tours in partnership with Arthur Frommer that enabled thousands of Americans to see Europe at affordable prices.”
After moving to Arizona, Klar created Great American Travel, a high-end boutique operation specializing in luxury cruises and tours. “We’ve helped thousands of sophisticated adventurous travelers visit exotic destinations all over the world including Antarctica, where they developed a deeper appreciation for its beautiful, pristine and fragile environment. Today, I am very proud to announce this partnership with XCOR Aerospace to offer participants an out of this world experience—a front row seat to the edge of Space.”
XCOR Chief Test Pilot and three-time Space Shuttle Pilot and Commander, Rick Searfoss said the Lynx will carry people or payloads to the edges of space up to four times a day. Seated next to him in the co-pilot seat, participants will undoubtedly experience the thrill of a lifetime. The awe-inspiring view of the curvature of Earth, the thin blue mantle of the atmosphere below, and inky blackness of space above will provide participants with unforgettable memories beyond description.
XCOR officials discussed the technology used on the two-seat, fully reusable launch vehicle that takes off and lands like an airplane. Klar said his company is enlisting innovative and progressive travel professionals to sell seats on the Lynx. “Those who are interested in a suborbital space flight can visit our website, www.rocketshiptours.com, and choose a Space Tourism Specialist who is trained and certified by RocketShip Tours.”
The total cost of the Lynx flight experience is $95,000. A deposit of $20,000 begins the process of assigning the participant to the qualification program. Klar said one does not have to be an athlete to fly aboard the Lynx, but the procedure will include a medical questionnaire and a screening performed by qualified aeronautic physicians. Instruction regarding life support systems, flight physiology, and other aspects of the Lynx suborbital flight will also be provided.
After the flight is concluded, participants will receive an HD DVD recording of their flight experience as well as other mementos. RocketShip Tours, Inc. is the General Sales Agent for XCOR Aerospace and exclusive global provider of participant services for the Lynx suborbital vehicle. Located in Phoenix, Arizona, RocketShip Tours was founded by Jules H. Klar, an innovative travel entrepreneur.
XCOR Aerospace, located in Mojave, California, is in the business of developing and producing safe, reliable and reusable rocket-powered vehicles and propulsion systems that enable affordable access to space.
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