XCOR Aerospace has announced its selection of Matrix Composites, Inc. of Rockledge, Florida as the manufacturer and supplier of the XCOR Lynx Mark I spacecraft composite chine panels.

"The chines allow the Lynx fuselage to have a continuous aero surface from the tip to the back of the strakes," noted XCOR Chief Technology Officer Jeff Greason. "Once the strakes are bonded and the nose is installed, the chines will be added to unify the space between the two, with some custom fitting at each end."

The chine panels, manufactured by Matrix Composites, are an integral part of the structural airframe and will allow access to vital life support and flight control system components that are mounted within the spacecraft. The panels are a carbon fiber and epoxy sandwich laminate with a lightweight foam core. Matrix Composites will manufacture the chine panels in their Rockledge, Florida facility with completion expected by June 2015.

"As Lynx comes together at Hangar 61 in Mojave, we are expanding our presence in Florida, the future home of our Lynx manufacturing facilities," said XCOR Chief Executive Officer Jay Gibson. XCOR Aerospace is expanding its Florida presence through a partnership with Space Florida.

The company plans to locate its Lynx Mark II manufacturing facilities at Kennedy Space Center. "We could not be more pleased to work with Matrix Composites on this vital Lynx component as we expand our presence in Florida," added Gibson.

"We are honored that XCOR chose us to supply this integral part of the Lynx spacecraft's composite body," said Dave Nesbitt, Matrix Composites' President. "To be part of their mission of research, science, private spaceflight, and micro satellite launch is very exciting work, highlighting our capabilities with high performance composites."