XCore Horizontal Launch Sub Orbital Rocket
The XCore suborbital reusable horizontal launch rocket is a new contender for the space tourism crown. Taking off from a normal airstrip and being able to launch 4 times a day for 10 days before requiring servicing. They are pitching to sell the vehicles throughout the world. The idea looks like a neat toy for a wealthy Adrenaline junkie. It would also be a very quick way to get around for globe trotting adventurists who could effectively island hop their way around the globe in a matter of hours by launching themselves into sub orbit and letting the earths rotation do the hard work. Add on a couple of extra pounds of fuels and they can increase the burn time to make the distance covered longer and the over all trips shorter.
In a way it is surprising that the US have decided that it is time to allow this technology to be exported off their shores. But given the decline of the US dollar and economy it makes perfect sense that one of the ways they expect to work their way out of the global recession is by selling expensive toys to wealthy consumers.
The only thing missing from this technology is a way to stop the blinding flashes of light caused by cosmic rays that plague humans as soon as they get outside of the Earths magnetosphere. Once that has been solved we should be able to fly anywhere we want in the solar system. Holidays in moon craters may well become a viable tourism destination.
One interesting aspect of this venture is the way the industry has been designed. The scientists at NASA seem to have found a way to take their knowledge and commercialise it without having to depend on Elite Politicians for their funding. Now that they have split NASA into several commercial ventures and the best minds have made their bets on the direction they want to travel the Banksters will be less able to control them through their lobbying efforts. This by itself bodes well for the future as it will become fashionable to become intelligent, well read and educated. Hopefully that will translate into a more open minded and rational society where decisions are made based on logic and science rather than wishful thinking and passing the buck.







