Xerus - XCOR Aerospace

In April 2004, XCOR Aerospace received a license from FAA/AST to perform flights from Mojave Airport in Mojave, California. These flights of the Sphinx demonstration vehicle are designed to fly within the Earth's atmosphere. For suborbital flight, XCOR is developing Xerus to conduct a variety of suborbital missions including microgravity research, suborbital tourism, and even the launch of very small satellites into orbit. Xerus is expected to have the ability to launch a 10-kilogram (22-pound) payload to LEO. XCOR is not currently disclosing its schedule or certain design details of the Xerus, except that it will take-off and land from a conventional runway without a booster stage or carrier vehicle. Xerus will be powered by XCOR's own liquid rocket engines.