The Lynx is XCOR’s entry into the commercial reusable launch vehicle (RLV) market.  This two-seat, piloted space transport vehicle will take humans and payloads on a half-hour suborbital flight to 100 km (330,000 feet) and then return safely to a landing at the takeoff runway.

Like an aircraft, Lynx is a horizontal takeoff and horizontal landing vehicle, but instead of a jet or piston engine, Lynx uses its own fully reusable rocket propulsion system to depart a runway and return safely.  This approach is unique compared to most other RLVs in development, such as conventional vertical rocket launches and air-launched winged rocket vehicles “dropped” at altitude from a jet powered mothership.

Lynx with persons for scale - click to enlarge

The Lynx aircraft-like capabilities allow high tempo operations, up to four (4) flights per day, rapid call-up, fast turnaround between flights, low cost operations and maintenance (O&M), and a focus on safety and reliability.

Lynx has an all-composite airframe that makes it lightweight and strong. With an added thermal protection system (TPS) on the nose and leading edges it is able to handle the heat of re-entry from the edge of space. The wing area is sized for landing at moderate touchdown speeds near 90 knots. Lynx is about 9 meters (~30 feet) in length with a double-delta wing that spans about 7.5 meters (~24 feet).

Using the same concept of operations (CONOPS) as XCOR’s earlier rocket-powered vehicles, we have learned much about how to operate the Lynx, even though it has higher performance than our EZ-Rocket and X-Racer. From the EZ-Rocket we learned how to 1) develop a safe, reliable, and reusable propulsion system and integrate it into an airframe, 2) implement low cost, efficient, and safe operational procedures, and 3) work with the regulatory process. Building the X-Racer enabled us to 1) fly a previously designed and matured piston pump in a high performance rocket plane application, 2) improve low cost operations and safety regime processes, and 3) increase knowledge and skill sets for systems integration (airframe, avionics, and propulsion).

Use the menu options below to explore various facets of the Lynx vehicle, or continue to Lynx Development Plan >>>
 

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