XCOR Submits First "Sufficiently Complete" RLV Launch License Application

spacedaily.com ^ | 11/11/03

[KevinDavis]

XCOR Aerospace announced today that it has been informed by the Federal Aviation Administration's Associate Administrator for Commercial Space Transportation (AST) that its application for a commercial space launch license has been deemed "sufficiently complete." This significant regulatory milestone means that AST has committed itself either to issue a launch license to XCOR within 180 days or notify Congress that it failed to do so.

"We still have work to do, but this a major step toward being issued a launch license," said XCOR's Randall Clague. "It shows that the process AST has put in place is achievable even for a small company like ours."

XCOR Aerospace has submitted a launch license application for an intermediate technology demonstration vehicle. The launch licensing process includes a safety evaluation, a policy review to ensure the proposed launch does not violate international treaties or jeopardize U.S. national security or foreign policy interests, an environmental review, a financial responsibility determination, and a payload review.

XCOR Aerospace is a California corporation located in Mojave, California. The company is in the business of developing and producing safe, reliable, and reusable rocket engines and rocket powered vehicles

[KevinDavis]

Scaled may win the race, but it seems that XCOR may take the lead. Unless XCOR is in the XPRIZE.

[KevinDavis]

Space Ping! This is the space ping list! Let me know if you want on or off this list!

[Analyzing Inconsistencies]

How hard would it be for one of these upstart companies to win a competitive prize for travel to and from the Space Station? NASA could offer prizes instead of some monopolistic billion dollar contract for LockMart or Boeing and NASA's central planners to create the Orbital Spaceplane. But perhaps the leap from suborbital to the ISS is just too daunting even if the prize is worth over a billion dollars?

[irv]

But perhaps the leap from suborbital to the ISS is just too daunting even if the prize is worth over a billion dollars?

For a billion dollars, I'll do it!

Umm ... somebody want to loan me a few million in development funds?

[GeronL]

I always thought Burt Rutans' company was closer, they said their ship was basically complete didn't they? XCOR is still in the development phase according to their website while Burt Rutan supposedly could launch this year??...

So whats the real story?

[Walkingfeather]

Dont quote me but Rutan may go for the aniversary of the wright brothers flight for thier launch. We will see. I am hoping for Rutan.

[Brett66]

I think Burt wanted to classify his spaceship as an experimental craft, but the X-Prize board members probably talked to him behind the scenes and told him that he better seek legitimate licensing. So he's behind the curve on the regulatory front.

[GeronL]

I think #7 is probably on the mark. Hard to believe they'll miss the anniversary because they didn't do the paperwork.

BTW- Doesn't Burt Rutan's brother still work as a test pilot for XCOR?

[Analyzing Inconsistencies]

>>>Doesn't Burt Rutan's brother still work as a test pilot for XCOR<<<

That was the case the last time I heard (over a year ago).

[RightWhale]

For a billion dollars, I'll do it!

Don't underestimate like that Las Vegas tycoon. Assume at least $1.5 billion for starters.

[Analyzing Inconsistencies]

Did you know that NASA's annual budget's over 10 times the figure you just cited?

[RightWhale]

Yes. Did you wish to say something about this mission in light of that fact?

[Analyzing Inconsistencies]

Basically that NASA could offer competitive prizes like Congress has ALREADY authorized:

http://www.spaceprojects.com/prizes

and STILL have money left over for its fruitless pork barreling.

[RightWhale]

NASA could offer competitive prizes like Congress has ALREADY authorized

National prizes? Sounds like a productive plan, so why don't they do it? Must be stepping on some corporate toes.

[Analyzing Inconsistencies]

Yes, but campaign finance reform has been a source of inspiration to us fiscal conservatives, and a major headache to Democrats. Newt Gingrich has championed the cause but has grown dormant on it lately.

[GeronL]

we have to remember that government is inefficient, remember the $500 hammers. Now do you really want government buying pills for people?? way off topic!

New advances in technology over the next couple of decades will make it easier and cheaper to get into space. So companies should get a foothold while they can.

[Analyzing Inconsistencies]

>>>New advances in technology over the next couple of decades will make it easier and cheaper to get into space.<<<

They said that during the 1960's, and yet the price of launching humans from the USA has gone nowhere but up since then. With pro-entrepreneurial reforms, though:

http://www.spaceprojects.com/reforms

couldn't things improve considerably?

[GeronL]

The price has gone UP because its a government monopoly. Private businesses will do much better.

[GeronL]

Thanks for the link.

[Analyzing Inconsistencies]

>>>The price has gone UP because its a government monopoly. Private businesses will do much better.<<<

I wish I still shared in your optimism. Have you seen the following sad story of bureaucrats' predatory conduct versus potential competitors in the private sector?

http://www.spaceprojects.com/Mir ?

There's also http://www.spaceprojects.com/Beal