Colorado Springs, Colorado, April 11, 2005: Studies show that 70 percent of Americans would buy a flight into space if they had the chance and the cost was reasonable. Now a cooperative agreement between Beyond-Earth Enterprises and XCOR Aerospace will develop greater accessibility to space for everyone in a safe, reliable, and affordable manner. The agreement will allow Beyond-Earth to purchase manufactured components from XCOR for standardized production of small payload launch vehicles. Beyond-Earth Enterprises is a commercial firm dedicated to providing small payload launch capabilities at affordable rates. XCOR Aerospace, Inc., is a small, private company with proven expertise in the production of high quality rocket engines and rocket powered vehicles.
Joe Latrell, CEO of Beyond-Earth Enterprises, says, “This is the first step toward making space accessible for commercial ventures. We want to be instrumental in creating standardized production components. When an airline company or package delivery service needs a new vehicle, they don’t build it, they buy it from a company who specializes in airplane or truck production.” Latrell says Beyond-Earth is highly motivated to encourage the average American to reach for space again. “We want the public to realize that they could go to space someday very soon.”
“Now is a great time for cooperative arrangements like this,” says Jeff Greason, CEO of XCOR. “The commercial applications from scientific research to space tourism are within reach. Cooperation such as this is essential to making that happen. Beyond-Earth and XCOR will each focus on their areas of expertise while expanding the overall market for space related products.”
The agreement lets XCOR focus on rocket engine development, one of its core strengths, while allowing Beyond-Earth to concentrate on developing inexpensive alternatives to existing space launch systems and help revitalize the American public’s interest in space. Beyond-Earth and XCOR expect this unique alliance to prove the reliability, safety, and affordability of complete rocket systems. The goal is profitable, low-cost transportation vehicles to Earth orbit.
About XCOR Aerospace, Inc.:
XCOR Aerospace develops and produces safe, reliable and reusable rocket engines and rocket powered vehicles. Test pilot Dick Rutan has flown its operations demonstrator, the rocket-powered test vehicle “EZ-Rocket” in recent demonstration flights at the EAA AirVenture convention at Oshkosh, WS. XCOR holds the second FAA issued Reusable Launch Vehicle License and continues to be engaged in private and government research projects for rocket engines and rocket engine components. XCOR Aerospace is a California corporation located in Mojave, California.
About Beyond-Earth Enterprises:
Beyond-Earth is leading the way to the commercialization of space by providing small payload launch capabilities at affordable rates. The Beyond-Earth officers are committed to revitalizing the American public’s interest in space. They encourage space development by conducting educational demonstrations and lectures at area schools. The company’s headquarters are in Colorado Springs, Colorado. Additional information can be found at www.beyond-earth.com.
