Please note that this program was originally recorded on 6-1-16. It was aired the evening of 6-17-16.
Guests: John Batchelor, Doug Messier, Dr. David Livingston. Topics: XCOR suspends work on the Lynx spacecraft. You are invited to comment, ask questions, and discuss the Space Show program/guest(s) on the Space Show blog. Comments, questions, and any discussion must be relevant and applicable to Space Show programming. Written Transcripts of Space Show programs are not permitted without prior written consent from The Space Show (even if for personal use) & are a violation of the Space Show copyright. We do not permit the commercial use of any Space Show program or part thereof, nor do we permit Space Show programs to be edited, placed on YouTube, or other private channels & websites. Space Show programs can be quoted in news articles, papers, academic & research work but must be cited or referenced in the proper citation format. Contact Dr. Livingston for questions about our copyright and trademark policies which we do enforce. This program is archived on The Space Show website, podcasting, and blog sites with permission from John Batchelor. Please visit the John Batchelor Show website for more information about this fine program, www.johnbatchelorshow.com. Remember, your Amazon Purchases Can Help Support The Space Show/OGLF (www.onegiantleapfoundation.org/amazon.htm. Please note that audio and transition issues are a result of copying the John Batchelor broadcast & are not within my control as they originate in the Batchelor studio.
John Batchelor and I welcomed back Doug Messier of Parabolic Arc (www.parabolicarc.com) who has been reporting on the suspension of the Lynx spacecraft and XCOR personnel layoffs related to the Lynx. During our discussion, Doug said that XCOR had laid off just under half their employees. Most of those who were dismissed were working on the Lynx. He said money was an issue plus the new XCOR corporate leaderships felt it needed to make changes in the company. He said there was not enough money to pursue both the Lynx and the engine competition for ULA upper stage Centaur rocket motor. Doug was asked if Lynx ticket holders would be getting refunds but he did not know the answer to that question. He also said they were competing with Blue Origin and Aerojet Rocketdyne regarding the ULA engine in question. When asked why XCOR fell behind on Lynx production, he indicated that there were wing and other problems plus financial issues. He suggested too that it was challenging to build a spaceplane that would fly like a jet and go to Mach 3. Other XCOR and Lynx comments were offered during our Hotel Mars segment for this week.
You can email Mr. Batchelor or Doug Messier through me at drspace@thespaceshow.com. In addition, Doug can be reached through his website, www.parabolicarc.com
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