This latest move would take SXC one step closer to making space travel more accessible and affordable, said Michiel Mol, CEO of SXC, at the launch of the Hong Kong company.

“Investment in commercial space products and travel services is growing rapidly and SXC plays a big role in driving the development of the space tourism industry.  As a leader in this space and to stay ahead of the game, it made perfect sense for us to expand geographically to reach prospects in markets like China and Hong Kong, where we see increased curiosity and interest,” he added.

Alex Tang has been appointed CEO of SXC Asia to head the Asia operation, and work closely with Mol and his team to expand SXC’s footprint in the region.

“With the extended team in Asia we are a step closer to realising our vision to make space travel accessible for everyone, and offer participants a life-changing experience in viewing planet Earth,” said Mol.

SXC Asia is responsible for the sales and marketing initiatives in the region, including recruiting and training highly qualified space tourism specialists.

Tang (left) and Mol with model of XCOR Lynx Mark II

The company is selling flights under a general sales agent arrangement with  XCOR Aerospace. The latter is expected to fly the first commercial guest into sub-space, about 60km above sea level, by mid-2014 aboard the XCOR Lynx prototype vehicle  –  Lynx Mark I. This will be followed by flights onboard the Lynx Mark II about a year later, taking guests into 100km above sea level into space. The space tourists will sit alongside the pilot-astronaut in the two-seater spacecraft, enjoying a spectacular view of both the earth and space.

To celebrate SXC’s Asia launch the company is offering a special package to send the first 100 guests or “founder astronauts” into space on the Lynx Mark II in mid-2015. This package, exclusive to SXC customers in Asia, costs HK$1.68 million (US$216,576) per pax.

For the price the founder astronaut gets:

• A night at the Peninsula Hong Kong with Rolls-Royce Phantom limousine transfer to the airport
• Flight on an Airbus A330 corporate private jet to and from Curacao spaceport (departure from Hong Kong)
• XCOR Lynx Mark II spaceflight to sub-orbital space.
• 4-night accommodation at a 5-star resort in Curacao
• Special SXC welcome pack, gala dinner and awards ceremony.
• A 1:24 spacecraft model and a 1:12 figurine of the founder as a SXC astronaut Founder’s name carved on a monument at the Curacao spaceport
• One Luminox space watch