Thailand’s Khiri Voyages Wins Space Expedition Contract

Bangkok-based Khiri Voyages has been appointed by the Space Expedition Corporation (SXC) as its exclusive agent for Thailand.

The first flights into Space are expected to begin late this year or early 2014.

After booking through Khiri Voyages, Thai Space travellers undergo training in the Netherlands, which includes a flight in a L-39 Albatross jet and the Desdemona simulator, which generates G-forces of up to 3.3G.

The Space flight itself takes off using an horizontal runway either in the Mojave Desert in California or from Curacao in the southern Caribbean Sea.

The XCOR Lynx Mark I or Mark II Space jet flies to 192,000 feet (58.5 kms above earth). The engines are then switched off. The aircraft's momentum then propels it to 338,000 feet (103 kms) above earth where a state of weightlessness occurs. At the highest point passengers can float in the Space craft and see the curvature of the earth.

The Lynx then returns to earth with the Space traveller experiencing 4G atmospheric re-entry forces along the way, before it makes an horizontal landing.

The entire trip takes approximately one hour.

Only one passenger flies in the Lynx with the pilot. When ready, passengers can choose to take off and land either in the Mojave Desert near Los Angeles or at Curacao. If from Curacao, the Space passenger will be able to see the curvature of the Earth all the way from Cuba to Brazil.

"We already provide exclusive travel experiences such as Antarctica, deluxe safaris in Africa and trips to the Galapagos Islands for the Thai market," said Willem Niemeijer, CEO of the Khiri Travel Group. "But Space is truly the ultimate experience."

Niemeijer said that SXC provides all the necessary training and equipment, nevertheless, Spaceflight passengers have to be brave and fit. "As the SXC team say, 'This is no picnic!'"

The cost per trip is approximately THB4.2 million (US$135,000). Exclusively for the Thai market, the price includes the training mission to the Netherlands and the Space journey from the Spaceport in either Curacao or the USA, business class flights from Bangkok to both destinations, transfers, and deluxe accommodation for two people.

Additional modules of pre-flight training, such as zero-gravity flights are available, at extra cost. 

See also: Space Expedition Sets Up Regional Office in Hong Kong

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