<p><BR/>Replying to:<BR/><DIV CLASS='Discussion_PostQuote'>This is a very nice animation of the sub-orbital mission of XCOR's tourist vehicle. Credit: XCOR It makes me want to take a trip in it! <br /> Posted by doublehelix</DIV></p><p>This is an intriguing spaceplane as it is the first privately funded spacecraft that wasn't designed to win the X-Prize. Technically, it can't be called a spacecraft as its planned apogee is only 61km. It can also only carry two occupants.</p><p>The upshot to this is that the lower requirements will put less stress on the vehicle, creating an overall simpler (and cheaper) vehicle to build and operate. There is practically no excuse why XCOR shouldn't pull this off. </p> <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <p> </p><p><em>So, again we are defeated. This victory belongs to the farmers, not us.</em></p><p><strong>-Kambei Shimada from the movie Seven Samurai</strong></p> </div>