Mojave, California and Tukwila, Washington, September 11, 2012 – XCOR Aerospace announced today that the Lynx Mark I suborbital reusable launch vehicle (RLV) wing strake assemblies will be manufactured by FiberDyne Advanced Composites of Tukwila, Washington.
The Lynx wing strakes are critical structural components that attach the Lynx fuselage to the wings and hold kerosene fuel, attachment points for the main landing gear, and bays for the vehicle’s reaction control thrusters.
The strakes have been designed by XCOR to rigorous design standards that will enable a craft to perform tens of thousands of flights to and from suborbital altitudes exceeding 100 kilometers. The strake has undergone an iterative design process by XCOR engineers and outside independent third party structural and thermal analysis experts from Quartus Engineering in San Diego.
FiberDyne was selected after a thorough competitive selection process that emphasized past experience, ability to manufacture complex carbon fiber structures used in safety critical pressurized applications, schedule and value. FiberDyne is teamed with tool maker Sierra Technical Services of Mojave, California.
“FiberDyne really stepped up for us with the wing strakes,” said Jeff Greason, Co-Founder and President of XCOR, “we are asking a lot in terms of performance and schedule from their team, and we’ve been impressed thus far with the results. It is very exciting to see our designs we’ve worked on for so many years coming to life before us.”
“FiberDyne is proud and honored to have been selected as a primary supplier for XCOR,” said Steven Zack, Founder and President of FiberDyne, “with our sights set on the future growth and success of XCOR Lynx program and private space development as a whole. Our motto at FiberDyne is Lighter, Faster, and Stronger… All of which will be applied to the Lynx program. “
The wing strakes will be installed on the Lynx Mark I which is the prototype of the Lynx family of suborbital RLVs from XCOR. All Lynx vehicles will be able to seat an astronaut pilot and a single spaceflight participant, or an astronaut pilot and large scientific payload. The “Lynx Mark II” is the designated name for the Lynx production model and is designed to fly to space up to four times per day with similar payload as the Lynx Mark I but with significantly improved performance.
XCOR has already announced Lynx Mark II wet lease customers, with emerging space lines. XCOR has already announced the signing of a wet lease definitive agreement for Lynx Mark II operations in the island nation of Curacao and plans for XCOR-led operations at two U.S. sites, Mojave, California and Kennedy Space Center Shuttle Landing Facility in Florida, pending final NASA approvals.
Private citizen operators and sovereign countries are expected to utilize Lynx for their own manned spaceflight programs for less cost than a traditional high end business jet.
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About XCOR Aerospace:XCOR Aerospace is based in Mojave, California. It is currently starting the process to create a new Research and Development Center in Midland, Texas. XCOR builds safe, reliable and reusable rocket-powered vehicles, propulsion systems, advanced non-flammable composites and rocket piston pumps.XCOR works with aerospace prime contractors and government customers on major propulsion systems, while also building Lynx. Lynx is a piloted, two-seat, fully reusable liquid rocket-powered vehicle that takes-off and lands horizontally. The Lynx-family of vehicles serves three primary missions depending on their specific type including: research & scientific missions, private spaceflight, and micro satellite launch (only on the Lynx Mark III). Lynx production models (designated Lynx Mark II) are designed to be robust, multi-mission (research / scientific or private spaceflight) commercial vehicles capable of flying to 100+ km in altitude up to four times per day. Lynx vehicles are available to customers in the free world on a wet lease basis. (www.xcor.com).
About FiberDyne: FiberDyne Advanced Composites is an AS9100 certified manufacturer of advanced composite parts and assemblies for the Aerospace, Marine & Automotive industries. The FiberDyne Team possesses years of experience working with advanced materials with a common team focused goal: combine our knowledge and experience to produce exceptional tooling and products and utilize the latest in materials and techniques for our clients. Since advanced composite applications have spread far beyond the boundaries of aerospace, much of our recent prototyping is converting products from alloy to light weight composite materials. We offer an entrepreneurial environment that is team-centered, customer-driven, quality-focused, and growth-oriented. (www.fiberdyneone.com).
