We’ve all witnessed real life Space Shuttle launches, and seen many movies and television programs depicting space and astronauts, but have we ever thought of actually experiencing any of this in real life? Now, the sky is no longer the limit.
The Adventure Travel Company in Canada announced a new partnership with XCOR, Aerospace’s General Sales Agent Space Expedition Corporation (SXC), to offer the first scheduled commercial spaceflights for Canadians aboard the XCOR Lynx® reusable suborbital spacecraft. The partnership is taking travel to new heights by giving all Canadians the opportunity to participate in a real astronaut experience. Since the first successful space launch more than 50 years ago, just over 500 men and women have had the opportunity to take this journey.
Initially there will be two Spaceports, one in the Mojave Desert (California), and the other in Curacao. Reinhard Spronk, Chief Commercial Officer of SXC said, “We’ve already sold 205 tickets worldwide and are excited to bring this product to Canada.” Before departure, participants will get the full astronaut experience including G-force familiarization flights, thorough medical screening, and other exciting astronaut-related training exercises.
At an altitude of nearly 60 km the pilot switches off the engines and the parabolic flight begins, during which time the crew experiences weightlessness for a couple of minutes. The spaceship eventually reaches its maximum height of 103 km, and at this point the craft crosses the official frontier of space, a place where it is completely black despite any sunshine. Once at this altitude, the solo space traveller will be able to clearly view the Earth’s curvature while seated in the co-pilot’s seat in the cockpit on this once-in-a-lifetime journey.
The Lynx will carry scientific programs on almost every single flight. So while you are enjoying an out of this world experience, you’re also part of scientific research. Unlike all other previously developed spaceships including the Space Shuttle, the SXC Lynx Spaceship is equipped with four revolutionary rocket engines, which can be shut down and restarted in-flight at any time. “This is one more signal to the market that commercial space flight is headed into the mainstream, and we could not be more pleased with this development”, said Greg Claxton, Director of Retail Sales at XCOR®.
Three different packages are available – Training Mission, Astronaut, and VIP Astronaut. This adventure is available for purchase effective immediately from any Adventure Travel Company location across Canada. Designated Space Agents are highly trained and will guide travellers through the entire experience. Prices start at $124,000, and will be completed within an hour.
For those with the courage, and funds, to do this, it most definitely will be an earth shattering experience. Click here for more information.