january-2012

Up, up and
away
For over 90 years, KLM has been a pioneer and
innovator in the aviation industry and now, in
cooperation with Space Expedition Curaçao (SXC),
KLM is looking to the stars.
In 2014, SXC will begin commercial
fl ights into space, and KLM has
announced its partnership in the
project. A new spaceport is also
planned on the island of Curaçao, in
the Caribbean, to accommodate this
unique space fl ight programme.
Incredible fl ying machine
SXC’s space fl ights will be operated
using Lynx suborbital spacecraft made
by X-COR Aerospace. Chosen for its
remarkable specifi cations, the Lynx is
a special bird indeed. Since it can only
carry two people, every ‘passenger’ will
effectively be a co-pilot. With its huge,
fi ve-square-metre canopy, it will provide
exquisite views of the Earth during the
hour-long fl ight.
Simplicity is one of the Lynx’s most
important design features. Not dependent
on disposable carrier rockets or a mother
ship (for piggy-back take-offs), this
mighty little fl yer is self-propelled self-propelled and
takes off and lands on its own steam.
In contrast to other multi-use spacecraft
(including NASA’s Space Shuttle), the Lynx
can even restart and use its engines during
re-entry and landing.
A lot of time and energy have also
gone into designing and building a
spacecraft that is as environmentally
friendly as possible. Light-weight materials
reduce the amount of fuel needed;
biofuels can be used, and the rocket
is fully reusable. In fact, the engine
is designed to be used for at least
5,000 fl ights.
The experience
The SXC experience begins well before
take-off, as astronauts can choose
from a range of training missions before
getting into the cockpit. In addition to
the mandatory Space Academics Course,
a ride in a G-centrifuge is designed
to prepare participants participants for the 4.5G
experienced during re-entry. Or they
can choose for a fl ight in an
L-39 Albatross fi ghter jet,
KLM BEHIND THE SCENES
which simulates the most important
phases of the space fl ight. And for a
complete training programme, there
are also Altitude Chamber and Zero-G
trainings available.
The fl ight itself will certainly be a oncein-a-lifetime
experience. The powerful
thrust at take-off propels the spacecraft
through the sound barrier within 60
seconds and to Mach 3 (three times the
speed of sound) within three minutes. At
60km up, the pilot switches off the engine,
and the Lynx glides silently to its maximum
altitude of 100km – the frontier of space.
The spaceship returns to earth as a glider,
but at 10km a pull-out manoeuvre to lose
speed means those in the capsule will
experience 4.5Gs for a few seconds.
The fl ight will have lasted almost an
hour, but the memories will last a lifetime.
Why space fl ight?
KLM is dedicated to promoting new
technologies and fi nding ways to make
space accessible in a responsible and
sustainable way. The SXC project fi ts
perfectly into KLM’s tradition of being a
pioneer in the aviation industry.
For more information on
Space Experience Curaçao,
visit spacexc.com.
“The fl ight will last
almost an hour, but the
memories will last a lifetime”
Holland Herald TRAVELLERS CHECK 95