Official Press Releases

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

Virgin Galactic Selects First Commercial Astronaut Pilot From Competition
October 26, 2011
(MOJAVE, CA) Just over fifty years ago, an historic competition for the first pilots to fly into space yielded the Mercury Seven astronauts. Today, from an intense selection process with more than 500 applicants including some of the best pilots in the world, Virgin Galactic has selected former USAF test pilot Keith Colmer as the first astronaut pilot to join the commercial spaceline's flight team. Colmer will join Chief Pilot David Mackay to begin flight training and testing, leading to operational missions to space with Virgin Galactic's revolutionary vehicles, WhiteKnightTwo and SpaceShipTwo. Additional selections will be made as the company nears commercial operations. Colmer brings 12 years of operational, developmental and experimental aircraft test flight experience plus more than 10 years of combined military experience in USAF spacecraft operations and flying. He has logged over 5000 hours in over 90 different types of aircraft. He will report to Mackay and Vice President of Operations, Mike Moses, as Virgin Galactic prepares to undertake powered test flights, leading soon thereafter to commercial operations. "Keith brings the kind of tremendous multi-dimensional talent and skill set that we are looking for in our astronaut pilots," said president and CEO George Whitesides. "But equally important to us are his impeccable character and his outstanding record of high caliber performance in highly demanding environments. He sets the bar very high for others to come." Following completion of USAF pilot training, Colmer served as a combat F-16 pilot in the Colorado Air National Guard, with two combat tours to Iraq. He was then selected as an operational test pilot, managing various sensor and electronic warfare flight test programs for the F-16, at the Air National Guard, Air Force Reserve Command Test Center (AATC) in Tucson, Arizona. He then became the first Air National Guard pilot ever selected to attend the USAF Test Pilot School, at Edwards Air Force Base, California. He served as Operations Officer for the 416th Flight Test Squadron at Edwards AFB, where he led F-16, F-15 and T-38C flight test operations, specializing in high angle of attack flight test and training on the F-16. Keith then completed two classified assignments, finishing his active duty tour as a Combined Test Force Director and Squadron Commander for a classified program. Colmer is the recipient of the Order of Daedalians Orville Wright Achievement Award, as the outstanding pilot training graduate in 1989, the Aaron C. George Award from the USAF Test Pilot School, the Lieutenant General Bobby Bond Memorial Aviator Award and the Lieutenant General Howard Leaf "Test Team of the Year Award" for the United States Air Force. Colmer, whose aviator call sign is "Coma," joins an elite team in Mojave, CA, where Scaled Composite's test pilots and Mackay have been putting WhiteKnightTwo and SpaceShipTwo through an exhaustive series of test flights to fully explore and quantify the performance profiles of the two revolutionary vehicles. "This team in Mojave is second to none," said Mackay about Scaled Composite's test pilots. "Keith and I are indeed fortunate to have their expertise and body of work to build on as we enter the final phases of the test program and prepare to open space to all." "I am extremely honored to have been the first astronaut pilot selected through competition to join the team," said Colmer. "Virgin Galactic is truly revolutionizing the way we go to space, and I am looking forward to being a part of that." Colmer has a Bachelor of Science in Aeronautics and Astronautics from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. He has both a Masters degree in Aerospace Engineering and a Masters degree in Telecommunications from the University of Colorado, Boulder. He is a graduate of the USAF Undergraduate Space Training program, the Euro-NATO Joint Jet Pilot Training Program and USAF Test Pilot School, Class 02A.

Back to top------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Keys to a New Dawn Monday October 17, 2011 Virgin Galactic Gateway to Space Dedication, Spaceport America, New Mexico. Looking skyward, more than 800 guests marveled at Virgin Galactic’s commercial space vehicles as they soared through the skies of southern New Mexico during the dedication ceremonies of Virgin Galactic’s new home at Spaceport America. The flight of WhiteKnightTwo and SpaceShipTwo was the highlight of a spectacular ceremony which featured the dedication of the Sir Norman Foster-designed building and announcements of new scientific and educational customers for the world's first commercial space line.  "Today is another history-making day for Virgin Galactic," said Sir Richard Branson. "We are here with a group of incredible people who are helping us lead the way in creating one of the most important new industrial sectors of the 21st century. We’ve never wavered in our commitment to the monumental task of pioneering safe, affordable and clean access to space, or to demonstrate that we mean business at each step along the way.”  Branson and his children, Sam and Holly, who will be the first commercial passengers on SpaceShipTwo, brought the event to a spectacular conclusion by officially naming the world’s first purpose-built spaceline terminal as the “Virgin Galactic Gateway to Space” while rappelling together from the roof of the striking new building.  “I trust that will be the first of many safe landings at Spaceport America! What an absolute joy to celebrate the naming of the Virgin Galactic Gateway to Space with Governor Martinez!” said Sir Richard, as the family touched the ground.  The Virgin Galactic Gateway to Space, a combined terminal and hangar facility, will support up to two WhiteKnightTwo and five SpaceShipTwo vehicles. In addition, The Gateway will house all of the company’s astronaut preparation and celebration facilities, a mission control center, and afriends and family area.  There is also space committed to public access via the planned New Mexico Spaceport Authority’s Visitor Experience.  The iconic 120,000 square-foot building, which meets LEED Gold standards for environmental quality, was designed by world-renowned United Kingdom-based Foster + Partners, along with URS Corporation and local New Mexico architects SMPC. The trio won an international competition in 2007 to build the first private spaceport in the world.  Built using local materials and regional construction techniques, the facility is sustainable with few additional energy requirements due to the use of a range of sustainable features including geothermal heating and cooling. New Mexico Governor Susana Martinez participated in the dedication ceremony with U.S. Congressman Steve Pearce, representing New Mexico’s 2nd District.  “New Mexico has a long tradition of pioneering innovation in aerospace and related technologies,” said Governor Martinez. “We already possess an impressive array of facilities and expertise in advanced technologies. Spaceport America and the opening of the Virgin Galactic 'Gateway to Space' significantly deepen those capabilities and strengthen our global position as a powerhouse supporter of the space industry. Our partnership with Virgin Galactic is a perfect example of how government and private industry can work together to drive economic growth and science education.”  Virgin Galactic CEO and President George Whitesides said the company continues to make excellent and unequalled progress, under the motto ‘safety is our North Star.’ Whitesides remarked, “Flight testing by prime contractor Scaled Composites is progressing very well, with 30 SpaceShipTwo flights and 75 WhiteKnightTwo flights to date. We are also recruiting aggressively and assembling a highly talented and accomplished workforce focused on safe commercial operations led by Vice President of Operations Mike Moses, who will run our effort at the spaceport.”  In addition, the company is taking steps to expand its mission beyond commercial space tourism. The company announced last week that it had been awarded a contract under NASA’s Flight Opportunity Program for research flights to a potential value of $4.5m. During the ceremony, it was announced that new flight reservations have been made by research and education institutions to support research initiatives and inspire students. Purdue University, Space Florida, the Challenger Center for Space Science Education and Southwest Research Institute were recognized as the most recent participants in this new growth area for Virgin Galactic.  “For me, my children and our ever growing community of future astronauts, many of whom are with us today, standing in front of the Virgin Galactic Gateway to Space as it glimmers majestically under the New Mexican sun brings our space adventure so close we can almost taste it,” said Sir Richard.  Present for the dedication ceremony were over 150 Virgin Galactic customers from 21 countries who have already made deposits to fly to space. A total of over 450 future astronauts worldwide have signed on to join Virgin Galactic for a voyage into space.  For photos, video footage and a complete electronic press kit from today’s event, click here. About Virgin Galactic  Virgin Galactic, owned by Sir Richard Branson’s Virgin Group and Aabar Investments PJS, is on track to be the world’s first commercial spaceline. The new spaceship (SpaceshipTwo, VSS Enterprise) and carrier craft (WhiteKnightTwo, VMS Eve) have both been developed for Virgin Galactic by Mojave-based Scaled Composites. Founded by Burt Rutan, Scaled developed SpaceShipOne, which in 2004 claimed the $10m Ansari X Prize as the world’s first privately developed manned spacecraft. Virgin Galactic’s new vehicles share much of the same basic design, but are being built to carry six customers, or the equivalent scientific research payload, on sub-orbital space flights, allowing an out-of-the-seat, zero-gravity experience and offering astounding views of the planet from the black sky of space for tourist astronauts and a unique microgravity platform for researchers. The VSS Enterprise and VMS Eve test flight program is well under way, leading to Virgin Galactic commercial operations, which will be based at Spaceport America in New Mexico.

Back to top------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

FAITH September 19th, 2011 The Spaceship Company opens assembly facility at Mojave Air and Space Port to build Virgin Galactic spaceships FAITH The Spaceship Company opens assembly facility at Mojave Air and Space Port to build Virgin Galactic spaceships MOJAVE, Calif. ― The Spaceship Company (TSC), the aerospace production joint venture of Sir Richard Branson’s Virgin Galactic and Scaled Composites, achieved a significant milestone in making commercial space travel a reality with today’s opening of its Final Assembly, Integration and Test Hangar, or FAITH, at Mojave Air and Space Port. The $8 million, modern, energy-efficient hangar supports the final stages of production for prime customer Virgin Galactic’s WhiteKnightTwo and SpaceShipTwo, and will add new jobs to the commercial space industry at spaceports in Mojave and New Mexico. Commenting on the grand opening, Virgin Group Founder Sir Richard Branson said, “Today marks another important step along the road to opening space for everyone. We’re extremely proud of the new FAITH building, which is the world’s first facility dedicated to producing private, commercial manned space vehicles. From this hangar, the talented team at The Spaceship Company will be at the forefront of making space access safe, reliable and affordable.” Located on taxiway-B, FAITH is a 68,000-square-foot, LEED-certified facility that will be used primarily for the final assembly, integration and testing of TSC vehicles before they are delivered to their customers. FAITH will also be used to support major return-to-base vehicle maintenance, and serve as TSC’s operating headquarters. “We take great pride in the opening of FAITH as an accomplishment for our company, our current and future customers and our industry,” said The Spaceship Company Vice President, Operations Enrico Palermo. “Within this new facility, we will produce the highest quality commercial spaceflight systems.” FAITH completes the infrastructure needed to manufacture a fleet of TSC’s two core products: the SpaceShipTwo (SS2) sub-orbital spaceship and the WhiteKnightTwo (WK2) carrier aircraft. The facility is specifically sized to support fabrication of SS2 and WK2 with room to produce at least two of each ship at the same time. “Not only are we welcoming a new neighbor at the Mojave Air and Space Port today, we’re ushering in another phase in the development of commercial space travel,” said President of Scaled Composites Doug Shane. “It’s exciting to see the vision becoming a reality.” FAITH was completed within 10 months, as scheduled, and on budget by Bakersfield-based Wallace & Smith General Contractors. It is one of two facilities that TSC will use to produce commercial spacecraft. The other is a 48,000-square-foot existing building at the Mojave Air and Space Port that TSC recently upgraded to serve as the company’s fabrication and vehicle sub-assembly facility. TSC has secured options to expand the size of the FAITH facility and build an adjacent flight test hangar, as the customer base grows. The opening of FAITH also means a boost to our local economies with impact in California and New Mexico. TSC currently employs over 80 people and is looking to double its workforce within the next year, with numerous high-tech and engineering positions available in the next 90 days. “Despite the current state of the U.S. economy and rising unemployment, this is a strong time of growth for The Spaceship Company,” Palermo said. “We are creating excellent, high-skilled job opportunities for individuals with aerospace, engineering and hands-on space program experience. We want employees who are passionate about developing new and innovative ways of accessing space.”

Back to top------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Virgin Galactic's SpaceShipTwo's First "Feathered" Flight Marks Latest Milestone for Virgin Galactic. Wednesday May 4th, 2011 Early on Wednesday 4th May 2011, in the skies above Mojave Air and Spaceport CA, SpaceShipTwo, the world's first commercial spaceship, demonstrated its unique reentry ‘feather’ configuration for the first time. This test flight, the third in less than two weeks, marks another major milestone on the path to powered test flights and commercial operations. SpaceShipTwo (SS2), named VSS Enterprise, has now flown solo seven times since its public roll-out in December 2009 and since the completion of its ground and captive -carry test program. This latest flight saw a 6:43AM (local) runway take off for VSS Enterprise, attached to its WhiteKnightTwo (WK2) carrier aircraft, VMS Eve. At the controls of the of the spaceship were Scaled Composites' test pilots Pete Siebold and Clint Nichols whilst Mark Stucky, Brian Maisler and Brandon Inks crewed the purpose built, all composite, twin fuselage WK2. After a 45 minute climb to the desired altitude of 51,500 feet, SS2 was released cleanly from VMS Eve and established a stable glide profile before deploying, for the first time, its re-entry or "feathered" configuration by rotating the tail section of the vehicle upwards to a 65 degree angle to the fuselage. It remained in this configuration with the vehicle's body at a level pitch for approximately 1 minute and 15 seconds whilst descending, almost vertically, at around 15,500 feet per minute, slowed by the powerful shuttlecock-like drag created by the raised tail section. At around 33,500 feet the pilots reconfigured the spaceship to its normal glide mode and executed a smooth runway touch down, approximately 11 minutes and 5 seconds after its release from VMS Eve. All objectives for the flight were met and detailed flight data is now being analysed by the engineers at Scaled Composites, designers and builders of Virgin Galactic's sub-orbital spacecraft. George Whitesides, CEO and President of Virgin Galactic, said: "This morning's spectacular flight by VSS Enterprise was its third in 12 days, reinforcing the fast turnaround and frequent flight-rate potential of Virgin Galactic's new vehicles. We have also shown this morning that the unique feathering re-entry mechanism, probably the single most important safety innovation within the whole system, works perfectly. This is yet another important milestone successfully passed for Virgin Galactic, and brings us ever closer to the start of commercial operations. Credit is due to the whole Scaled team, whose meticulous planning and great skill are changing the course of history." Pete Siebold, who along with Clint Nichols piloted the spaceship added: "In all test flight programs, after the training, planning and rehearsing, there comes the moment when you have to go up there and fly it for real. This morning's flight was a test pilot's dream. The spaceship is a joy to fly and the feathered descent portion added a new, unusual but wonderful dynamic to the ride. The fact that it all went to plan, that there were no surprises and that we brought VSS Enterprise back to Mojave safe and sound is a great testament to the whole team." Wing Feathering for Re-Entry Perhaps the most innovative safety feature employed by SpaceshipOne and now SpaceShipTwo is the unique way it returns into the dense atmosphere from the vacuum of space. This part of space flight has always been considered as one of the most technically challenging and dangerous and Burt Rutan was determined to find a failsafe solution which remained true to Scaled Composite's philosophy of safety through simplicity. His inspiration for what is known as the feathered re-entry was the humble shuttlecock, which like SpaceShipTwo relies on aerodynamic design and laws of physics to control speed and attitude. Once out of the atmosphere the entire tail structure of the spaceship can be rotated upwards to about 65º. The feathered configuration allows an automatic control of attitude with the fuselage parallel to the horizon. This creates very high drag as the spacecraft descends through the upper regions of the atmosphere. The feather configuration is also highly stable, effectively giving the pilot a hands-free re-entry capability, something that has not been possible on spacecraft before, without resorting to computer controlled fly-by-wire systems. The combination of high drag and low weight (due to the very light materials used to construct the vehicle) mean that the skin temperature during re-entry stays very low compared to previous manned spacecraft and thermal protection systems such as heat shields or tiles are not needed. During a full sub-orbital spaceflight, at around 70,000ft following re-entry, the feather lowers to its original configuration and the spaceship becomes a glider for the flight back to the spaceport runway. About Virgin Galactic Virgin Galactic is on track to be the world’s first commercial spaceline. The new spaceship (VSS Enterprise) and Mothership (VMS Eve) are both being developed for Sir Richard Branson’s Virgin Galactic by Mojave-based Scaled Composites. Founded by Burt Rutan, Scaled developed SpaceShipOne, which in 2004 claimed the $10m Ansari X Prize as the world’s first privately developed manned spacecraft. Virgin Galactic’s new vehicles share much of the same basic design but are being built to carry six customers on sub-orbital space flights, allowing an out-of-the-seat zero gravity experience and offering astounding views of the planet from the black sky of space. The VSS Enterprise test flight program will continue through 2011, prior to commercial operations, which will be based at Virgin Galactic’s future headquarters at Spaceport America in New Mexico.

Back to top------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Virgin Galactic Makes the Cover of USA Today! April 28th, 2011 For years, when John Spencer talked about tourists taking forays into space, he often was met with giggles or a blank stare. "The laugh factor on this was really intense," says Spencer, founder of the Space Tourism Society, an advocacy group based in West Los Angeles. But with corporate visionaries pouring millions of dollars into the building blocks of such an industry, Spencer says, few people are laughing now. "It's happening," he says. "There's a market. There's a waiting line. … Our ultimate goal is: Tens of thousands of space tourists actually leave Earth, go to orbital cruise ships, lunar ships, lunar resorts, and have a great time." The notion of an ordinary person taking a trip beyond Earth's atmosphere is no longer the stuff of science fiction. Several already have gone, and hundreds more have paid for trips that could begin as soon as next year. Even as NASA's shuttle program is drawing to a close — its next-to-last launch is scheduled for Friday, when the shuttle Endeavour is to begin a two-week mission to the International Space Station— private companies are soliciting passengers for commercial trips to space. STORY: British tycoon Branson tackles space, ocean with 'a smile' VIDEO: Richard Branson on space tourism PHOTO: Gallery: Virgin Galactic's space program Ten years ago Thursday, businessman Dennis Tito became the first private person to pay to fly in space on April 28, 2001, doling out $20 million to travel on the Soyuz, a Russian rocket, to the International Space Station. Now, space travel is beginning to mirror the airline industry, with its own travel agents, carriers and hubs. Companies such as Virgin Galactic, founded by billionaire and aviation enthusiast Richard Branson, and XCOR Aerospace in Mojave, Calif., are building spacecraft and selling tickets for suborbital flights that will allow passengers to see the Earth's curvature and experience weightlessness. Commercial spaceports are sprouting from Upham, N.M., to Kodiak, Alaska. And Space Adventures, the Virginia-based company that since 2001 has arranged eight private trips to the Space Station, has booked one passenger for an excursion around the far side of the moon and has a passenger seat to fill on the first private lunar mission, which could happen as soon as 2014. The moon-bound passengers also would fly on the Soyuz. Other space aviation companies, some solely with private dollars and others with the help of some government funding, are spending tens or even hundreds of millions of dollars to create vehicles that could ferry tourists into space. A ticket to ride doesn't come cheap, costing at least $95,000, but space entrepreneurs believe that they can facilitate travel to near space more affordably than NASA and fulfill the desire by some non-astronauts to go beyond Earth. Stephen Attenborough, Virgin Galactic's commercial director, sees similarities between the growing space travel industry and notions of commercial aviation a century ago, when few people would have believed that plane rides would be commonplace. "My sense is we're on a very similar path here," he says. "At the moment, most people would assume they'd never go to space. I think they're going to be wrong. … My view of the future is that, maybe in 30 to 40 years, most people who want to go to space will have the opportunity to do it, and that it will be affordable." Dreaming of space   Branson has made his mark on flight, from starting the Virgin Atlantic airline to being the first to cross the Atlantic Ocean in a hot-air balloon. But he's long set his sights higher. "I've dreamed of going into space ever since the moon landing when I was a teenager," says Branson. "I assumed that once man had gone to the moon that ordinary people like myself would have that opportunity years ago." When that didn't happen, Branson took matters into his own hands and registered the name Virgin Galactic in 1991. The company eventually connected with engineer Burt Rutan, creator of the first privately developed manned space vehicle, dubbed SpaceShipOne. SpaceShipTwo, being created for Virgin Galactic, will be able to carry six passengers 68 miles into the air. Currently conducting test flights in Mojave, the company is considered by some to be the leading contender for becoming the first commercial spaceline in the world. Commercial flights could start by the end of next year. George Whitesides, Virgin Galactic's CEO, is quick to say, however, that this isn't a new space race. "I'm more focused on building a vehicle that is as safe as possible than I am in flying first," he says. For the fledgling space tourism industry, perfecting the technology has been only one piece of the puzzle. Pioneers in the field also have had to make sure there's a pool of passengers willing, and financially able, to fly. A trip to the International Space Station on the Russian Soyuz spacecraft, for example, costs roughly $50 million, according to Space Adventures. A seat on the Lynx Mark II, a suborbital vehicle being developed by XCOR, is a relative bargain in comparison, costing $95,000. Spots on Virgin Galactic's craft go for $200,000 each. "This is not just about starting a business. It's about hopefully starting a whole new industry, and in order to do that as the leader in the field, we need to do it well, and we need to make money," says Attenborough. When the business started, "There was a lot we didn't know at that point, and one (question) was … whether anybody would really want to take a trip at the sort of prices that we knew we'd need to start the business with." Plenty did: 425 people have signed up for the journey, putting down roughly $60 million in deposits. "It's the democratization of space, and to put poets in space and artists as well as scientists and movie stars and business people, the results of that I think will be huge and shouldn't be underestimated.' Producer Dallas Austin has booked his trip and was among a few in early April to fly alongside the Virgin Galactic mothership, WhiteKnightTwo, which landed at San Francisco International Airport— its first time touching down at such a hub. He's had friends question how safe such a journey would be, and his reply is simple: "There's no way I'm not going into space." Austin says that, for an ordinary person, a trip to space can be life-changing. "You'll really see how insignificant our problems are, to see (the world) from a different perspective. Test flights next year  XCOR expects by the end of next year to begin test-flying the Lynx Mark I, a two-seat craft, to be followed by the more advanced Mark II, which could start commercial flights in 2013, says spokesman Mike Massee. More space vehicles could follow, he says, "depending on the demand." Massee wouldn't give a specific figure but says the number of passengers who have paid for the roughly 35-minute trip is in the double digits. It will take a little more than four minutes to travel about 60 miles up in the air, to the edge of space. Then the vehicle begins to re-enter the atmosphere, gliding back home. "What you see at those altitudes is the sky turns dark in daytime," he says. "You can see stars and easily the curvature of Earth. And aside from the visual experience … it's also the ultimate roller-coaster ride." Boeing, one of the biggest aircraft manufacturers in the world, has a keen eye on space as well. "Part of (our) vision is to become the Boeing commercial airplane of space travel," says John Elbon, vice president and program manager of Boeing's commercial crew program, which is developing a seven-seat commercial space capsule. "We hope to … either operate those vehicles or provide them to other operators to enable commercial access to space." Private space ventures are looking to take more than tourists into space. Their goal is to carry scientists and cargo beyond Earth as well. As the shuttle program comes to an end, private companies are looking to fill a new niche. Fifty years after the first human went into space, private companies would take over the task of building and providing transportation for NASA astronauts and others into low Earth orbit, freeing the government to focus its resources on the deeper reaches of space. Last week, NASA awarded $270 million to four companies, including Boeing and Blue Origin, an aerospace research and development company started by Amazon's founder, Jeff Bezos, to continue developing or creating designs for vehicles that could take over where the space shuttle leaves off, carrying NASA astronauts into near space. "At this time … we believe we can hand over more of that to a commercial entity with some good oversight and insight from the NASA community," says Ed Mango, program manager for NASA's commercial crew program. "And NASA can focus on even harder stuff, which is going beyond low Earth orbit." NASA envisions the vehicles being used to transport non-astronauts as well, such as scientists, engineers and perhaps space tourists, though Mango says tourism is not NASA's priority. NASA "should be trying to find ways by which we can do things in space for a less-expensive price so it helps life back on Earth," says Mango, noting how medical scientists could possibly do research at the International Space Station or another lab. Spaceports across the USA  But spaceports are springing up around the country. The FAA has approved eight, and Spaceport America in New Mexico, where Virgin Galactic is the anchor tenant, dedicated its runway in October. Still under construction, but with its first phase nearly complete, Spaceport America will resemble its airport peers with newsstands, gift shops and restaurants, but also have innovative installations, such as, say, a booth where visitors can experience weightlessness. "A lot of (the installations) will be aimed at motivating and inspiring students in science, technology, engineering and mathematics," says Chris Anderson, executive director of the New Mexico Spaceport Authority. "Like back in the days when President Kennedy challenged us to go to the moon and inspired a generation of scientists and engineers. I'm hoping this will excite people again." Branson sees his spacecraft as only the beginning. "I think in the very first year … Virgin Galactic will create more astronauts than have been created in the last 70 years," he says. "And then I think from small beginnings, from suborbital flights, (the industry) will grow into orbital flights. From orbital flights, that will grow into intercontinental flights at a fraction of the (time)…. We'll be able to put satellites into space at a much more affordable price than they have in the past. And so I think commercial spaceship companies will bring the cost down of every aspect of access to space." Tom Shelley, president of Space Adventures, says his company started in 1998 with the intention of arranging trips on suborbital flights. But until that option became a reality, the business focused on simulated space experiences instead, such as a visit to the cosmonaut training facility in Russia, where you could experience the feeling of a moon walk through buoyancy. But now the sky's the limit, for the public and for the businesses plowing the new frontier. "It's just exciting," Shelley says. "Somebody may be first, but all these companies are going to win in the long run."

Back to top------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

	Glide Flight 05	Friday 22nd April saw SpaceShipTwo’s 5th glide flight from Mojave Air and Spaceport – the longest yet!
	April 22nd, 2011
	Piloting were: For WK2:         Mark Stucky and Peter Kalogiannis For SS2:          Peter Siebold and Doug Shane The 14 minute, 31 second flight went smoothly and all objectives were achieved, in particular a clean release at the desired altitude, evaluation of SS2 stability and control, and continued envelope expansion. This was the 56th flight for WhiteKnightTwo and the 16th flight for SpaceShipTwo, 11 of which have been captive carry flights along with 5 glide flights. George Whitesides, VG CEO & President said: “This was another good day for the Scaled team as we move through the test program”.

Back to top------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Virgin America Unveils Next Generation New Home Virgin Galatic Joins to Toast to the Evolution of Flight San Francisco's Airline Unveils Beautiful and Sustainable New Terminal 2 Home and Celebrates with a "Fly into the Future" Fare Sale. Virgin America's First Arriving SFO Terminal 2 Flight to Fly and Land alongside Virgin Galactic's WhiteKnightTwo and SpaceShipTwo Virgin America unveils its beautiful and sustainable new home at San Francisco International Airport’s (SFO) Terminal 2 (T2) today with a series of inaugural flights that celebrate the evolution of travel. San Francisco - April 6, 2011 As the only California-based airline, Virgin America is an anchor tenant at SFO’s new T2, which offers a unique design that echoes the airline’s own focus on reinventing the typical domestic flying experience. Much like the airline that will call it home, the new T2 elevates the travel experience by offering the best in design, technology, food and sustainable practices. With over a half century of history, the 640,000-square foot T2 has been completely reinvented for the modern traveler by architecture and interior firm Gensler and aims to be the first LEED® Gold-certified airport terminal in the U.S. Virgin America’s additional investments in sustainable design for its T2 spaces and “Virgin Village” crew lounge are aimed at the highest possible LEED® Platinum-certified status. To unveil its sleek and sustainable new home and celebrate the evolution of flight, Virgin America today teams up with sister company Virgin Galactic to welcome two historic first flights to T2 – in support of a good cause. Today, the airline also launches a “Fly into the Future” fare sale on flights across its growing network. Fares start from $59* (restrictions, taxes and fees apply). Tickets are on sale now at www.virginamerica.com and by calling 1.877.FLY.VIRGIN (1.877.359.8474).

Back to top------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

Virgin Galactic Announces World’s First Contracts to Send Researchers to Space
February 28, 2011
Sir Richard Branson’s Virgin Galactic, LLC, the world’s first commercial spaceline, announced today the first ever commercial contracts to fly scientists into space for the purpose of conducting research experiments.

Back to top------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

	Glide Flight 04	We had another great glide flight today, piloted by Mark Stucky and co-pilot Clint Nichols - a good start for what will be a busy year of flight tests.
	January 14, 2011
	As part of the test objectives, the pilots vented some water just before coming in to land, which produced a visible contrail of today's flight and the water contrail.

Back to top------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Virgin Galactic to Join NASA Submissions for Orbital Spaceflights.
December 15, 2010
Sir Richard Branson’s Virgin Galactic, LLC (VG), the world’s first commercial spaceline, today announced that it will be supporting Sierra Nevada Space Systems’ (SNC) and Orbital Sciences Corporation's (OSC) work on commercial space vehicles.

With this in mind, it has watched the growth of the commercial manned orbital field closely. The second phase of NASA’s Commercial Crew Development Program (CCDEV2), designed to stimulate development of privately-operated crew vehicles to low Earth orbit, presents an opportunity for VG to start to map a path towards a commercial orbital service for fare-paying passengers by encouraging reusable technologies and designs which can offer important advantages to safety, cost and passenger experience.

oth SNC and OSC are pursuing vehicle designs under CCDEV2 featuring reusable lifting-wing bodies and runway landings, which VG believes could revolutionize orbital space flight in much the same way that SpaceShipTwo has revolutionized sub-orbital space flight.

As a contributor to SNC’s and OSC’s submissions to NASA, VG is proposing to market seats on these vehicles to the public and to its existing customer base, which now numbers more than 400 people who have made deposits of over $54 million. VG will also investigate providing its mothership, WhiteKnightTwo, to SNC and OSC during their test flight programs.

Commenting on the announcement, Sir Richard Branson, founder of Virgin Galactic said:

“Virgin Galactic has shown in the past few years how private sector investment and innovation can lead to a rapid transformation of stagnant technologies. We are now very close to making the dream of sub-orbital space a reality for thousands of people at a cost and level of safety unimaginable even in the recent past. We know that many of those same people, including myself, would also love to take an orbital space trip in the future, so we are putting our weight behind new technologies that could deliver that safely whilst driving down the enormous current costs of manned orbital flight by millions of dollars. Today’s announcement is an important step along the way to achieving our ultimate and long term goal of leading an industry which opens up the huge potential of space to everyone, whether it be for the experience itself, for science research, for fast and efficient transportation around the globe or for delivering payloads to space safely, cleanly and cheaply. We very much look forward to working with SNC, OSC and other partners in the future to bring this ambition to fruition.”

Mark N. Sirangelo, Corporate Vice President and head of Sierra Nevada Space Systems added, “We are thrilled to have Virgin Galactic as part of our effort to make commercial orbital transportation a reality. The knowledge gained by Virgin in the development and promotion of the history making SpaceShipTwo suborbital system will add considerably to our program. We are proud to be the prime rocket motor provider to SpaceShipTwo and to have Virgin Galactic joining a growing group of world-class space companies who form our Dream Chaser team. Their participation will truly enhance our efforts.”

Mr. Frank Culbertson, Orbital Science’s Senior Vice President and former NASA astronaut stated: Virgin Galactic is clearly breaking new ground in the commercial space market, and we are now very excited to have them on our team. This partnership for marketing and supporting our innovative and affordable design carries a great deal of promise for achieving the kind of growth in commercial spaceflight that will help to make this a sustainable market in the future.”

Back to top------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

OCTOBER 22, 2010 •

SPACEPORT RUNWAY DEDICATION INCLUDES SIR RICHARD BRANSON AND NM GOVERNOR RICHARDSON

UPHAM, NM – The New Mexico Spaceport Authority (NMSA) today dedicated the nearly two-mile long “Governor Bill RIchardson Spaceway” at Spaceport America, representing significant progress toward launching commercial customers into space from the desert of New Mexico. Governor Bill Richardson, Sir Richard Branson and approximately 30 of more than 380 Virgin Galactic future astronauts attended the event along with guests from around the world and watched a flyover and landing by Virgin Galactic’s WhiteKnightTwo, in a captive carry with SpaceShipTwo.

“We are celebrating the world’s first spaceway at the world’s first purpose-built, commercial spaceport,” said Governor Richardson. “New Mexico is not only helping to launch the commercial spaceflight industry, but we are launching new jobs and opportunities for the people of southern New Mexico. Today marks a significant milestone on our historic and exciting journey.”


The nearly two-mile long runway was officially named the “Governor Bill Richardson Spaceway” at the event, and Governor Richardson joined Sir Richard in placing their handprints in clay as a permanent commemoration of the historic day.
NMSA Chairman Ben Woods said the board of the NMSA had met early today to formally and unanimously approve the name of the spaceway.


Sir Richard Branson commented, “It is incredible to be here today with Governor Richardson and be part of the runway dedication at Spaceport America. To see for myself how far the construction has come from when I last visited New Mexico is truly inspiring – I for one can’t wait for the grand opening – today has brought it one step closer to reality for me. The last few weeks have been some of the most exciting in Virgin Galactic’s development. Our spaceship is flying beautifully and will soon be making powered flights, propelled by our new hybrid rocket motor, which is also making excellent progress in its own test program. The investment deal with our new partners Aabar has successfully closed, securing funding for the remainder of the development program and we are seeing unprecedented numbers of people coming forward to secure their own reservations for this incredible experience. To be here in New Mexico to witness this historic moment is the perfect end to a great month.”

Governor Richardson, Sir Richard Branson, the Virgin Galactic future astronauts and the guests were all invited to tour the terminal hangar facility, which is nearing completion. The iconic building, meeting Gold LEED standards, will serve as the operating hub for Virgin Galactic and is expected to house up to two WhiteKnightTwos and five SpaceShipTwos, in addition to all of Virgin’s astronaut preparation facilities and mission control.

Held immediately following the International Symposium for Personal and Commercial Spaceflight (ISPCS), the Spaceport America Runway Dedication marked the culmination of “Space Week” in New Mexico, and was made possible in part thanks to premier event sponsors Summit West Construction, Gerald Martin Construction Management, AECOM, Molzen-Corbin, Dekker/Perich/Sabatini, of Albuquerque, NM, and the New Mexico Tourism Department. Other speakers at the event included: Lori Garver, Deputy Administrator of NASA; George Whitesides, CEO of Virgin Galactic; Patricia Hynes, Executive Director of the New Mexico Space Grant Consortium; and Rick Homans, Executive Director of the NMSA.

Lori Garver, Deputy Administrator of NASA, said, "With the recent signing of the NASA Authorization Act of 2010 by President Obama, it is clear that our nation's future space efforts will be working even more closely than with the growing commercial space transportation industry,“ She added, ”Innovative approaches that foster this new commercial industry will bring more competition and opportunities that will lower the costs of spaceflight and payload services for America’s aerospace programs, and introduce new human space transportation systems.”

The 42-inch thick spaceway is designed to support nearly every type of aircraft in the world today. It is made up of 24 inches of prepared sub-grade, followed by four inches of asphalt, and finished with a 14-inch layer of concrete. The spaceway will accommodate returning launch vehicles, fly-back rocket boosters and other space launch and training vehicles.

Spaceport America has been providing commercial launch services since 2006. The state-of-the-art launch facility is under construction near Truth or Consequences, New Mexico, and is expected to become fully operational in 2011. Officials at Spaceport America have been working closely with their anchor tenant Virgin Galactic and other leading aerospace firms such as Lockheed Martin, Moog-FTS, Armadillo Aerospace, and UP Aerospace to develop commercial spaceflight at the new facility. The economic impact of launches, tourism and new construction at Spaceport America are already delivering on its promise to the people of New Mexico.

Back to top------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

FIRST COMMERCIAL SPACELINER MAKES HISTORY AND LAUNCHES NEW NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC CHANNEL SERIES VIRGIN GALACTIC

Exclusive Documentary Coverage of Historic Milestones on Path to Space Tourism

(WASHINGTON, D.C. / MOJAVE, CALIF. — OCTOBER 11, 2010) 

History was made Sunday, October 10, on the path to the launch of the first commercial spaceliner with news of the first successful glide involving the mother ship, WhiteKnightTwo, and smaller spaceship, the VSS Enterprise, which safely separated at an altitude of 40,000 feet before returning to earth.  The process of reaching this milestone has been documented for the premiere of National Geographic Channel’s (NGC) highly anticipated four-part series, Virgin Galactic, which is documenting the historic process and milestones leading up to the first commercial space flight. 

Premiering Monday, October 18, at 10 p.m. ET/PT on NGC, Virgin Galactic provides exclusive documentary coverage of maverick entrepreneur Sir Richard Branson and legendary aeronautical engineer Burt Rutan as they strive to be first to make space tourism an everyday reality.  Also included in the premiere episode will be the backstory of the venture, including Rutan’s win of the Ansari X Prize with SpaceShipOne and WhiteKnightOne. 

“This series represents what we are all about — historic drama and adventure,” commented Steve Burns, NGC’s executive vice president of content.  “We are honored to provide people with a window into the historic work of the incredible team at Virgin Galactic and Scaled Composites as well as the vision of Burt Rutan and Richard Branson, whose drive and passion promise to make space travel a reality.”

Back to top------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

VSS Enterprise’s, First Flight

World’s First Commercial Spaceship Takes Inaugural Flight
Mojave Air and Spaceport, Mojave, California

Monday 22nd March, 2010

Virgin Galactic announced today that its commercial manned spaceship, VSS Enterprise, this morning successfully completed its first “captive carry” test flight, taking off at 07.05 am (PST) from Mojave Air and Spaceport, California.

The spaceship was unveiled to the public for the first time on December 7th 2009 and named by Governors Schwarzenegger and Richardson.  VSS Enterprise remained attached to its unique WhiteKnightTwo carrier aircraft, VMS Eve, for the duration of the 2 hours 54 minutes flight, achieving an altitude of 45,000ft (13716 metres).

Both vehicles are being developed for Sir Richard Branson’s Virgin Galactic, by Mojave based Scaled Composites. Founded by Burt Rutan, Scaled developed SpaceShipOne which in 2004 claimed the $10m Ansari X prize as the world’s first privately developed manned spacecraft. Virgin Galactic’s new vehicles share much of the same basic design but are being built to carry six fare paying passengers on sub-orbital space flights, allowing an out-of-the-seat zero gravity experience and offering astounding views of the planet from the black sky of space.

Virgin Galactic has already taken around $45m in deposits for spaceflight reservations from over 330 people wanting to experience space for themselves.
The first flight of VMS Enterprise is another major milestone in an exhaustive flight testing programme, which started with the inaugural flight of VMS Eve in 2008 and is at the heart of Virgin Galactic’s commitment to safety.

Commenting on the historic flight, Burt Rutan said: “This is a momentous day for the Scaled and Virgin Teams.  The captive carry flight signifies the start of what we believe will be extremely exciting and successful spaceship flight test program.”

Sir Richard Branson, Founder of Virgin Galactic added: “Seeing the finished spaceship   in December was a major day for us but watching VSS Enterprise fly for the first time really brings home what beautiful, ground-breaking vehicles Burt and his team have developed for us. It comes as no surprise that the flight went so well; the Scaled team is uniquely qualified to bring this important and incredible dream to reality. Today was another major step along that road and a testament to US engineering and innovation.”

The VSS Enterprise test flight programme will continue though 2010 and 2011, progressing from captive carry to independent glide and then powered flight, prior to the start of commercial operations.

Back to top------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Spaceshiptwo unveil press release December 7th 2009

VIRGIN GALACTIC UNVEILS SPACESHIPTWO, THE WORLD’S FIRST COMMERCIAL MANNED SPACESHIP

SpaceShipTwo (SS2) and its mothership, WhiteKnightTwo (WK2) herald a new era in commercial space flight with daily space tourism flights set to commence from Spaceport America in New Mexico after test program and all required US government licensing completed.

Mojave Air and Spaceport, California
December 7, 2009

Virgin Founder, Sir Richard Branson and SpaceshipOne (SS1) designer, Burt Rutan, today reveal SS2 to the public for the first time since construction of the world’s first manned commercial spaceship began in 2007.  SS2 has been designed to take many thousands of private astronauts into space after test programming and all required U.S. government licensing has been completed.

The unveiling represents another major milestone in Virgin Galactic’s quest to develop the World’s first commercial space line providing private sector access to space using an environmentally benign launch system for people, payload and science.  The spaceship draws on the experience developed during the successful flights of SS1 in 2004, which won the Ansari X-Prize for completing the world’s first manned private space flights.  The SS2 design will be refined and completed during an extensive test flying program to commence shortly, and it will be an entirely new vehicle capable of carrying up to 6 passenger astronauts and up to 2 pilot astronauts into space on a sub-orbital flight.

The unveil itself will take place at Mojave Air and Spaceport as darkness falls on the famous aviation and spaceflight location.  Subject to certain U.S. regulatory requirements that will guide the unveiling, SS2 will be attached to her WK2 mothership which was last year unveiled and named EVE after Sir Richard Branson’s mother. In the future, WK2 will carry SS2 to above 50,000 feet (16 kilometres) before the spaceship is dropped and fires her rocket motor to launch into space from that altitude. In honour of a long tradition of using the word Enterprise in the naming of Royal Navy, US Navy, NASA vehicles and even science fiction spacecraft, Governor Schwarzenegger of California and Governor Richardson of New Mexico will today christen SS2 with the name Virgin Space Ship (VSS) ENTERPRISE. This  represents not only an acknowledgement to that name’s honorable past but also looks to the future of the role of private enterprise in the development of the exploration, industrialisation and human habitation of space.

The emergence of new commercial space companies like Virgin Galactic will be an engine for employment, growth and the creation of a new technology and science base in the United States. Recent research has indicated that 12,500 jobs have already been created by the new space companies; the Virgin Galactic project alone is creating significant opportunities for employment in both the company itself and with suppliers in both California and New Mexico. Approximately 600 people are now working on activities relating to the project and it is estimated that this figure will rise to over 1,100 jobs during the peak of the construction phase at the space port and through the introduction of the commercial space vehicles into regular astronaut service.

Both WK2 and SS2 represent state of the art environmentally sensitive industrial development in their use of carbon composite materials technology, which has now been identified as a key future contributor to the increasingly urgent requirement by the commercial aviation sector for dramatically more fuel efficient aircraft.  WK2 is powered by four Pratt and Whitney PW308A engines, which are amongst the most powerful. economic and efficient commercial jet engines available making it a mould breaker in carbon efficiency.  SS2 will be powered by a unique hybrid rocket motor, which is currently under development.

The twin fuselage and central payload area configuration allow for easy access to WK2 and to the spaceship for passengers and crew; the design also aids operational efficiencies and turnaround times. The mothership has now also completed a year of rigorous and successful first phase flight testing prior to today’s attachment of SS2.

Commenting on the unveiling, Sir Richard Branson, Founder of Virgin Galactic said:  “This is truly a momentous day. The team has created not only a world first but also a work of art. The unveil of SS2 takes the Virgin Galactic vision to the next level and continues to provide tangible evidence that this ambitious project is not only moving rapidly, but also making tremendous progress towards our goal of safe commercial operation”.

Burt Rutan, Founder of Scaled Composites added: “All of us at Scaled are tremendously excited by the capabilities of both the mothership and SS2.  Today is the culmination of a dream that began many decades ago, was stimulated by Paul Allen’s funding of our X-Prize winning SS1 and then moved forward to commercial reality by Sir Richard and Virgin’s visionary investment in a new future for space transportation”.

SpaceShipTwo will be unveiled after darkness has fallen over the Mojave Desert to the sound of a space-themed anthem from Britain’s biggest DJs, Above & Beyond.  Fittingly titled “Buzz” the track will sample Buzz Aldrin’s original moon landing dialogue. Following the naming by Governors Richardson and Schwarzenegger, the DJs will also perform an exclusive set at the celebration cocktail party which will follow and feature the first ever IceBar in the desert hosted by Absolut and the world famous Swedish IceHotel. All the guests will be protected from the desert cold by designer space jackets supplied by PUMA. Finally, to close off the celebrations, all the guests will have the opportunity to view the stunning night skies using specialist telescopes supplied by Ron Dantowitz of the Clay Observatory whose unique tracking cameras followed SS1 into space during the epic flights of 2004.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

1. PUMA

PUMA is one of the world’s leading Sportlifestyle companies that designs and develops footwear, apparel and accessories. It is committed to working in ways that contribute to the world by supporting Peace, Creativity, and SAFE Sustainability, and by staying true to the values of being Fair, Honest, Positive and Creative in decisions made and actions taken. PUMA starts in Sport and ends in Fashion. Its Sport Performance and Lifestyle labels include categories such as Football, Running, Motorsports, Golf and Sailing. The Black label features collaborations with renowned designers such as Alexander McQueen, Yasuhiro Mihara and Sergio Rossi. The PUMA Group owns the brands PUMA, Tretorn and Hussein Chalayan. The company, which was founded in 1948, distributes its products in more than 120 countries, employs more than 9,000 people worldwide and has headquarters in Herzogenaurach/Germany, Boston, London and Hong Kong. For more information, please visit www.puma.com

For the unveiling of the Virgin Galactic SS2 space ship, PUMA will be outfitting both Virgin's space team and guests.  The Virgin Galactic space team, including Sir Richard Branson, will be wearing PUMA's Formula One Trionfo suit and PUMA Speed Cat footwear.  The custom branded Formula One suits will feature Galactic logos, including their "Galactic Girl" patch, along with PUMA's signature leaping cat.  Virgin's guests will all be given a 2010 PUMA Sailing Performance Inshore Jacket, in black with silver Virgin Galactic branding.  Guests will also be given a branded PUMA Sailing Performance fleece beanie.

Back to top------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

2. ABSOLUT ICEBAR

ABSOLUT ICEBAR partners with Virgin Galactic on historic launch

Building on the tradition of groundbreaking innovation and style for which the brand has become famous, ABSOLUT ICEBAR has built the world’s first ice bar in the Mojave Desert to celebrate the momentous premier of Virgin Galatic’s SpaceShipTwo.

The exclusive event, which is hosted by Virgin Founder and Chairman Sir Richard Branson and world renowned aircraft designer Burt Rutan, will take place in Mojave, CA on December 7, 2009.

Central to the celebration will be the spectacular ABSOLUT ICEBAR MOJAVE – a temporary installations purpose built to support the launch – where mixologists will serve to perfection a selection of cocktails which have been specifically developed to complement the unique surroundings.

Echoing the philosophy of the original ABSOLUT ICEBAR developed for the ICEHOTEL in Jukkasjärvi, Sweden in 1994, ABSOLUT ICEBAR MOJAVE will offer those privileged few guests a unique opportunity to experience part of the icy cool of the Lappish winter in the arid expanse of the Mojave Desert.

“We are excited to partner with Virgin Galactic in what is sure to be a genuinely historic event”, says Astrid Lundquist, Head of Communication for ABSOLUT ICEBAR. “Ever since ICEHOTEL and ABSOLUT VODKA created the mono-brand in 1994, ABSOLUT ICEBAR has excelled in a pioneering, unforgettable ice experience.”

Following the announcement of ICEHOTEL as a Virgin Galactic Accredited Space Agent (ASA) earlier in the year, ABSOLUT ICEBAR was invited to create a spectacular show piece to support the launch.

“We believe that ABSOLUT ICEBAR MOJAVE is the beginning of many exciting projects between the two brands,” said Lundquist.

Virgin Galactic’s remarkable and pioneering project is now in its final stages. The unveiling of SpaceShipTwo marks the next critical step in bringing space tourism to the general public, a privilege that has been limited to astronauts and those with the means to spend $20 million for a flight..

- Ends -

For more information about ABSOLUT ICEBAR around the world, please contact:

Astrid Lundquist, Head of Communication, ICEBAR International, ICEHOTEL
Tel: +46 70 669 9678
Email: astrid.lundquist@icehotel.com

Frida Hyséus, Manager ABSOLUT ICEBAR, The Absolut Company
Tel: +46 70 449 0106
Email: frida.hyseus@absolut.com

For more information please visit www.absoluticebar.com

ABSOLUT ICEBAR is the first and original icebar. The successful concept was developed by the two world famous Swedish brands ICEHOTEL and ABSOLUT VODKA. ABSOLUT ICEBAR is located in Stockholm, London and Jukkasjärvi.

www.absoluticebar.com

ABSOLUT ICEBAR FACTS

·     The first permanent ABSOLUT ICEBAR was inaugurated in 2002 at the Nordic Sea    Hotel in Stockholm.

·     The original ICEBAR was constructed in Jukkasjärvi, northern Sweden, in 1994. In the same year, ICEBAR was singled out as one of the world’s ten coolest bars by Newsweek Magazine.

·     The collaboration between ICEHOTEL and The Absolut Company started with the shooting of the ABSOLUT Versace campaign in Jukkasjärvi in 1994. Fashion photographer Herb Ritts shot the campaign, which featured models such as Kate Moss and Naomi Campbell.

·     In 1999, an ABSOLUT ICEBAR was erected in the Niger desert for a fashion show featuring designers such as Kenzo, Mickael Kra (Ivory Coast) and Alphadi (Niger).

·     Art works, furniture, plates and drinking glasses are hand crafted from the huge blocks of ice.

·     ABSOLUT ICEBAR has a computer-controlled interior temperature of minus 5 degrees Celsius (23 Fahrenheit).

·     The ice is harvested from the deep-frozen Torne River each spring in March.

·     Ice made from sweet water is harder and clearer than ice from salt water.

·     As water freezes to ice, sediments and salt are pushed out of the ice on a molecular level, making it cleaner than the surrounding water. The ice inside ABSOLUT ICEBAR is clean enough to be categorized as drinking water by the Swedish Health Association.

·     Jewellery designers David & Martin have designed a silver bracelet for ABSOLUT ICEBAR. They have previously worked with Karl Lagerfeld.

·     More than 1 000 000 guest have experienced the unique ABSOLUT ICEBAR concept throughout the world.

·     For more information, please visit www.absoluticebar.com

Back to top------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

3. CLAY CENTER OBSERVATORY

The Clay Center Observatory at Dexter and Southfield Schools

When SpaceShipOne rocketed into history on September 29, 2004, a billion people worldwide watched the gleaming craft climb into the stratosphere thanks to LIVE video provided by powerful telescopic tracking cameras from the Clay Center Observatory.

Operated by Dexter and Southfield Schools in Brookline, Massachusetts, the Clay Center Observatory is a unique facility dedicated to student-based astronomical research and science education. Its tracking telescopes are similar in design to the Hubble Space Telescope, and have successfully photographed spacewalking astronauts outside the International Space Station (ISS) and imaged the windows of orbiting Space Shuttles- all from the ground.
 
Returning to the Mojave Spaceport for the first time since the flights of SpaceShipOne are two of the observatory’s proprietary ground-based mobile tracking platforms. Both of these systems have been used by NASA in support of the Space Shuttle program, and are part of the Clay Center’s Mobile Aerospace Reconnaissance System (MARS). The Clay Center has provided research and mission support not only for Scaled Composites’ historic flights, but also for NASA, the European Space Agency, Russian Space Agency, and private aerospace corporations.

Throughout the evening a total of six telescopes will be available on site for use by guests, including two suborbital spacecraft tracking systems and four powerful astronomical telescopes. The telescopes will provide views of the planet Jupiter and its moons, the stars, and perhaps even an orbiting satellite or two! The MARS program also includes a computer-filled telescope control vehicle, which will also be on display and open for visitors to walk through during the event.

The Clay Center specializes in high definition 4K telescopic imaging of aircraft, rocket launches, orbiting satellites, and of course, suborbital spaceflights. For more information on the Clay Center Observatory’s educational, research, and mobile imaging systems, please visit www.ClayObservatory.org or contact it’s Director, Ron Dantowitz at (617) 959-9945 or dantowitz@dexter.org.

Back to top------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

4. ABOVE AND BEYOND

SpaceshipTwo will be unveiled to the sound of a space-themed anthem from Britain's biggest DJs, Above & Beyond. Fittingly titled "Buzz", the track samples Buzz Aldrin's original moon-landing dialogue. Above & Beyond also performed an exclusive DJ set at the ensuing cocktail party, and all guests were handed a special "Galactic Grooves" USB wristband, featuring a selection of Above & Beyond's music.

Jono from Above & Beyond said: "We're big fans of all things space-related and so in terms of dream gigs, this is up there alongside our performance in Rio to 1million people. "

* Britain's most popular DJs (4th in the world according to DJ Magazine's Top 100 DJs Poll 2009)
* Performed to 1m people in Barra Beach in Rio De Janeiro NYE 2007
* Remixed Madonna and Radiohead
* Weekly radio show has in excess of 20 million listeners worldwide (online and across 128 FM stations)
* Voted Best Group at the International Dance Music Awards 2009 
* Winner's of Radio 1's Essential Mix Of The Year, described by Pete Tong as 'the UK's new dance superstars'

Back to top------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

28th May 2009
SUCCESSFUL SPACESHIPTWO ROCKET MOTOR TESTING
Virgin Galactic today announces the successful completion of the first phase of tests of the rocket
motor that will propel space tourists, scientists and payloads into space.
In the desert of southern California, Virgin Galactic's key supplier Scaled Composites and its
subcontractor SNC (Sierra Nevada Corporation) have successfully completed the first tests of the
innovative rocket motor that will propel space tourists, scientists and payloads into space. The hybrid
Nitrous Oxide system being used is the largest of its kind in the world and it will send Virgin's
customers up into sub-orbital space at speeds over 2500 mph (4000kmh), to heights over 65 miles
(110km) above the Earth’s surface, before the spaceship descends back down through the atmosphere
using its pioneering feathered re-entry system.
Sir Richard Branson, founder of Virgin Galactic said: “As Virgin Galactic gets ever closer to the start of
commercial operations, we are reaching and passing many important and historic milestones. The
Virgin MotherShip (VMS) Eve, the first of our amazing, all carbon composite, high altitude
WhiteKnightTwo launch vehicles, is flying superbly. SpaceShipTwo, which will air launch from Eve, is
largely constructed and awaiting the start of its own test flight programme later this year.”
The rocket motor burns for a very short period of time because the spaceship is launched from VMS
Eve in the upper atmosphere, rather than from ground level. This means much less fuel is required,
and the fuel burn is more environmentally benign than the solid rockets used in most ground based
systems.
While the rocket motor is extremely powerful, it is also completely controllable. This system can - if
necessary - be shut down at any time, allowing the spaceship to glide back down to land at a
conventional runway. This is a significant feature in the overall safety of the Virgin system for human
space flight.
Sir Richard continues: “Less fuel and clean fuel all add up to a space launch system which will be
completely unprecedented in its low environmental impact compared with current space flight. The
spaceship’s carbon footprint for each of its passengers and crew will be about a quarter of that for a
return trip from London to New York, demonstrating again the extraordinary benefits that new
technology can bring to the quest for clean transportation.”
“We believe space is on the cusp of a new industrial revolution. Virgin Galactic’s mission has always
been to transform the safety, cost and environmental impact of access to space. Not just for
passengers, but also for a range of important scientific purposes, and to send small satellites into
orbit. The world’s scientific community is united in recognising that making better use of space will be
vital to mankind’s ability to manage the huge future challenges of life back here on Earth.”
The rocket motor will continue a series of exhaustive tests, and the spaceship itself will start flight
testing later this year. The testing programme for the rocket, the spaceship and VMS Eve will be
extensive.

Back to top------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Esrange Space Center
April 1, 2008

Press release from Spaceport Sweden

Spaceport Sweden and Virgin Galactic progress plans for space journeys

Senior representatives from Spaceport Sweden and Virgin Galactic presented today, at a press conference at Esrange Space Center in northern Sweden, their latest progress towards commercial spaceflights for private space tourists.
The press conference was opened by Dr. Olle Norberg, the initiator and chairman of Spaceport Sweden. After had welcomed everyone he handed over to Mr. Sven Grahn, senior advisor at Swedish Space Corporation, who presented his work related to the establishment of Spaceport Sweden.

1. We have studied very practical matters such as, for example, the suitability of the available infrastructure in Kiruna, the weather conditions, the possible flight profile for Virgin Galactic’s spaceship when operating in Kiruna, any additional infrastructure that may be needed, the regulatory framework in Sweden and Europe for personal spaceflight, and a host of other matters, said Mr. Sven Grahn.
2. We have not encountered any major obstacles along the way and don’t expect to do so either. Our next step will be to keep working on regulatory matters, and further defining the way we take care of space travellers and any additional infrastructure that may be needed., said Mr. Sven Grahn

Will Whitehorn, President of Virgin Galactic (VG), talked about the challenge and necessity of designing totally new and energy efficient techniques to  access space, which will help to transform the applications of space at a time when civilisation needs all the technological help it can get. He also explained VG’s vision of not only offering spaceflights to the general public but also of developing a launch vehicle that could be part of a longer term development programme involving space science, payload deployment and potentially other applications yet to be defined.

A significant factor of working together with Spaceport Sweden is that, in common with Spaceport America in New Mexico which will be our primary operating base, they can, as and when we are able to operate outside the US, offer much more that just a spaceport for space tourism, said Mr. Will Whitehorn. I’m not just thinking about the unique adventures one can enjoy in the Kiruna area, but also the long experience that Spaceport Sweden has in space science with sounding rockets, (i.e.. suborbital flight performed by the Swedish Space Corporation from Esrange Space Center). They have been in this business since 1966 and have the experience, the knowledge and the infrastructure needed to launch and communicate with experiments performed in space in real time. This really matches our vision of making further use of the new technology developed by Burt Rutan at Scaled Composites in California.

Stephen Attenborough, Commercial Director of Virgin Galactic, talked about the size and potential of the space tourism market which has  justified VG’s faith and investment in developing the air and space vehicles and establishing the worlds first commercial spaceline. VG’s customer numbers continue to grow strongly, now around 250 firm reservations and well over $30 million dollars in deposits, with another 85000 people having registered an interest in flying with VG in the future. The customers come from a broad range of backgrounds, they cover a wide age group, and hail from 30 countries. 80 of them have started their preparations for the space flight by climbing into a centrifuge and have effectively “gone to space”. They experienced 3,5 G’s on the way up and 6 G’s on the way down.
     For VG this was an essential exercise, demonstrating our commitment to passenger safety and contributing to our business plan, says Mr. Stephen Attenborough. Only two customers were unable to undertake the training, and three delayed due to treatable medical conditions. In other words, we achieved a 93% success rate, which was 10-15% higher than our original business plan projections. Overall, we proved conclusively that ordinary people can go to space, and that actually, almost of us are made of the right stuff.

Invited media spoke to a number of Virgin Galactic´s future Astronauts making a special visit to Kiruna.. Their programme was devised by the ICEHOTEL, the partner in Spaceport Sweden responsible for arranging all the unique adventures that come with a visit in the land of the northern lights and the midnight sun.

• The stay here in Sweden has been fantastic so far, says Mr. Jon Goodwin, a Virgin Galactic future Astronaut. We slept in the ICEHOTEL the first night, in warm sleeping bags and in beds covered with reindeer skins. This afternoon we are looking forward to witnessing a rocket launch from Esrange Space Center and then we will continue to search for the famous northern lights together with scientists at the Institute of Space Physics. Tomorrow we’re taking a helicopter tour to the highest mountain top in Sweden (Kebnekaise) and will end the day by visiting a Sami family and taking in some of their culture and history. We will also have time for a dog sledge ride and a scooter safari to a wilderness camp where dinner will be prepared over an open fire. I must say that this is a remarkable place, even without a space trip, said Mr. Goodwin.

Back to top------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Virgin Group Sign Deal with Paul G. Allen’s Mojave Aerospace

Licensing the Technology To Develop The World’s First

Commercial Space Tourism Operator

London, September 27th 2004:

Today, Sir Richard Branson announced that Virgin Group has entered into an agreement to license the technology to develop the world’s first privately funded spaceships dedicated to carrying commercial passengers on space flights.  The technology is currently owned by a Paul Allen company called Mojave Aerospace Ventures (‘M.A.V.’) and was originally developed to fulfil Paul Allen’s vision of building the world’s first privately funded, reusable space vehicle (‘SpaceShipOne’), which will undertake its first Ansari X Prize flight later this week.  The licensing deal with M.A.V. could be worth up to £14 million ($21.5 million) over the next fifteen years depending on the number of spaceships built by Virgin.

SpaceShipOne, which is solely funded by Paul G. Allen, was designed by aviation legend Burt Rutan and built by his company, Scaled Composites.  On June 21st Mike Melvill piloted this unique craft to a height of 100 km (62 miles) and into the history books and record books as the world’s first private manned space flight.  Separately to Virgin’s agreement with M.A.V., the company has also signed a Letter of Intent to agree contract terms with Burt Rutan and Scaled Composites, to utilise the technology in building new spaceships and derivatives thereof, for the purposes of carrying paying passengers on a journey to the stars - returning to earth as astronauts two hours later.  

Virgin has formed Virgin Galactic (‘V.G.’) a new company, which will become the world’s first commercial space tourism operator. It is envisaged that Virgin Galactic will open for business by the beginning of 2005 and subject to the necessary safety and regulatory approvals begin operating flights from 2007.  The name was first registered and trade mark protection applied for in the mid 1990s. It is expected that around £60 million ($100 million) will be invested in developing the new generation of spaceships and ground infrastructure required to operate a sub orbital space tourism experience.  Over five years Virgin expects to create around 3000 astronauts and the price per seat on each flight, which will include at least three days of pre-flight training, are expected to start at around £115,000 ($190,000). Virgin will reinvest the proceeds in developing a new generation of vehicles for further space ventures.  To date the cheapest space tourism experiences in government built and taxpayer funded spaceships cost over $15,000,000 per seat.

As a prelude to these exciting developments Virgin is also very pleased to have agreed terms to sponsor SpaceShipOne on its historic Ansari X Prize flights later this week and in early October. 

Commenting on the announcement, Virgin Galactic Founder Sir Richard Branson said: ”We’ve always had a dream of developing a space tourism business and Paul Allen’s vision, combined with Burt Rutan’s technological brilliance, have brought that dream a step closer to reality.  The deals with both their companies, being announced today, are just the start of what we believe will be a new era in the history of mankind, making the affordable exploration of space by human beings real.  We hope to create thousands of astronauts over the next few years and bring alive their dream of seeing the majestic beauty of our planet from above, the stars in all their glory and the amazing sensation of weightlessness.  The development will also allow every country in the world to have their own astronauts rather than the privileged few”. 

Welcoming the deal Paul Allen added:  “I backed the development of SpaceShipOne because I saw this as a great opportunity to demonstrate that space exploration could someday be within the reach of private citizens. Today’s deal with Virgin represents the next stage in the evolution of the SpaceShipOne concept, and will likely be the first of a number of deals that will utilize the technology developed during its creation. I am very happy to have Virgin and Richard Branson as sponsors of our X-Prize attempt and excited about space tourism.”

1. Burt Rutan, Founder of Scaled Composites concluded:  “Apart from building SpaceShipOne for Paul and then watching it fly to space on June 21st this is one of the most exciting days of my life.  Our June space flight was flown with several new technologies that address both the cost and safety of manned space flight.  These, combined with the lessons learned from our SpaceShipOne research program, will enable us to develop the finest suborbital operational systems possible. I am looking forward to getting started on the development program and the opportunity to work with Virgin on taking Paul Allen’s vision to the next stage”.

It is expected that Virgin Galactic will formally commence the contractual and design phase of the project after the conclusion of the Ansari X Prize flights and start construction of the first spaceship, the ‘VSS ENTERPRISE’ in 2005.

This transaction is subject to all necessary government approvals.

Virgin Galactic Unveils Visionary Logo
Designed by Philippe Starck and GBH

London: 13th December, 2005: 

Virgin Galactic, the world’s first commercial spaceline, is delighted to announce the creation of a visionary logo for the business.  The new visual identity was created by Philippe Starck in conjunction with leading design agency GBH Design Ltd.  Philippe was well placed to undertake the work, having already shown a commitment to become a founder astronaut for one of the first hundred commercial seats, which are expected to begin in 2008. 

The logo is based around the human iris, as Philippe Starck explains:

“The curiosity and adventure of the human spirit exists in the vision of a human eye, from today, through millions of years of evolution, right back to the beginning of Mankind. The nebulous iris represents the infinite possibilities of this endeavour and signifies our opportunity to look back at earth from space with our own eyes for the first time. The eye's pupil incorporates an eclipse, the dawning of something new, something unique but accessible. Something far, but near.”

It is planned that the final logo design will incorporate an image of Sir Richard Branson’s iris.  Virgin Galactic founder, Sir Richard Branson said:  “Philippe has come up with the most fantastic logo, which encapsulates our vision of the future.  When I look at the logo I am reminded of childlike awe.  I believe it represents all those who will watch and be a part of the growth of this amazing new commercial aviation sector. Whether they are six or sixty, all will see and believe that a new chapter in the story of space flight has begun.”

Mark Bonner, Creative Director at GBH Design Ltd, added:  “It is an honor and a privilege to work within one of the most exciting ventures in the world today. Our aim is not just to create something that represents the opportunity for an ordinary person to travel into space and to look back at the planet where we all live, but also to represent the incredible spirit of human endeavor that continues to push us all forward”.

State of New Mexico
Office of the Governor

Virgin Galactic Announces It Will Locate World Headquarters and Mission Control at World’s First
Purpose-Built Spaceport in New Mexico

LONDON, ENGLAND–Today Virgin Galactic, the world’s first commercial space tourism business, unveiled its new logo and announced that it will locate its world headquarters and Mission Control in New Mexico.   The agreement between the State of New Mexico and Virgin Galactic calls for New Mexico to build a $200-million spaceport in the southern part of the state, on 27-square miles of state land. 

“New Mexico has worked hard to bring us to their exciting new spaceport facility,” stated Will Whitehorn, President of Virgin Galactic.  “The State has several factors that make it an ideal operations base: climate, free airspace, low population density, high altitude, and stunning scenery.  Our team was highly impressed by the professionalism and the competitive pitch the state and its advisors developed.  We look forward to working together to make the “Final Frontier” a reality for tens of thousands of pioneering space tourists. Our activities will prove the commercial viability and excellent safety technology behind private personal spaceflight and give birth to a new industry in New Mexico.”

New Mexico’s spaceport, will offer fledgling astronauts an experience that will be truly out of this world.  Virgin Galactic also plans to create a five-star destination experience in New Mexico to accommodate customers, their families, and space enthusiasts.

Funding for construction of the spaceport is expected to come from a combination of state capital outlay, federal appropriations, and a local-option gross receipts tax that will be proposed to voters of southern New Mexico counties that stand to benefit from the spaceport and the resulting job growth.

The agreement between New Mexico and Virgin says the state will build and then lease to Virgin Galactic customized hangar and training facilities, and the company will pay user fees for use of the spaceport, as is customary in the aerospace industry. Virgin Galactic will sign a 20-year lease.

"When Burt Rutan and SpaceShipOne won the X PRIZE in October 2004, we knew the new space industry had arrived," said Secretary Rick Homans. "And when Sir Richard Branson announced that Virgin would use that same technology to fly paying passengers into space, we realized that our most important job was to convince Virgin Galactic to come to New Mexico and launch the personal spaceflight industry.  This announcement is a convergence of dreams and we are proud that Virgin will be New Mexico’s anchor tenant at the world’s most exciting space tourism location.”

Description of Virgin Galactic:

Sir Richard Branson’s interest in space began when he witnessed the Apollo moon landings as a teenager.  The name Virgin Galactic was first registered in March 1999 as Virgin began discussions with several fledgling private space ventures with a view to investment in the sector. 

However, it was to be another three years before circumstances brought Virgin closer to SpaceShipOne and the X-Prize.  Scaled Composites were in the process of constructing the Virgin Atlantic Global Flyer.  This was an aircraft successfully piloted non stop around the world by Steve Fossett in March 2005.  Virgin saw SpaceShipOne under construction and forged an agreement with the visionary, Paul Allen, to license the technology should the craft successfully win the X-Prize. 

A design for SpaceShipTwo is now in its final planning stages and construction of the commercial prototype is expected to commence in 2006 and be flying by 2008.  It is expected that five SpaceShipTwo’s and two White Knight Two carrier aircrafts will be built, in order to allow 50,000 customers to experience personal spaceflight over a ten year period up to 2019.

Currently, there are 40,000 registrations from individuals from 120 countries.

Virgin has an unprecedented record of innovation, past performance in implementing new commercial ventures, demonstrated insightful leadership, and sound business planning.

History of New Mexico’s spaceport:

New Mexico’s spaceport has been in the planning stages for 15 years.

The spaceport, located in Sierra County, about 45 miles northeast of Las Cruces, and 25 miles southeast of Truth or Consequence is approximately 27 square miles of open, generally level, range land with an average elevation of 4700 feet. The complete lack of conflicting operations, facilities, and environmental constraints provides a unique opportunity to design and develop a purpose-built launch complex that meets the needs of spaceport customers.
Since the “Father of Modern Rocketry” Robert Goddard built his prototypes in Roswell in the 1930s, New Mexico has been at the epicenter of space exploration technology.

In 1946, New Mexico became the official birthplace of space in the United States when Wernher von Braun successfully launched the V2- Rocket into space from White Sands Missile Range.

Then in 1961 ENOS, a chimpanzee trained at Holloman Air Force Base in Alamogordo New Mexico, was the first chimp launched into orbit.  He successfully completed two orbits around the Earth.

In 1978 Space Shuttle astronaut training began at Northrop Strip at White Sands and NASA astronauts landed the Space Shuttle Orbiter Columbia at WSMR in 1982. 

New Mexico was announced as the host of the X PRIZE CUP annual spaceflight exhibition in 2004, winning over Florida, California and Oklahoma.  In October 2005, the “Countdown to the X PRIZE CUP” event, attracting over 15,000 people, was held in Las Cruces, New Mexico.

UP Aerospace, Inc., will launch its SpaceLoft rocket on a sub-orbital flight from New Mexico’s spaceport in March 2006. 

Virgin Galactic Launches Space Club
And Invites You To Join The Galactic Quest

Oshkosh, Wisconsin, Tuesday 26th July 2005:

Join the Galactic Quest!:

Who said you need to be a millionaire to experience the glory of Space?!  In yet another world first, this Autumn Virgin Galactic and Virgin Games will launch the Virgin Galactic Quest game, which will give players the once in a lifetime opportunity to take a trip into space for as little as $10!

Players from around the world will pit their skills against each other to fly their spaceships as far away from the Earth as possible, using only the gravitational pull of the planets to help speed them through space, in a revolutionary skill based game designed exclusively for Virgin Galactic. 

The players will have to show unearthly powers of determination and guts to maximize their craft’s speed for the ultimate prize of claiming a seat on the Virgin Galactic Spaceship - to experience the ultimate adventure of space travel - for real.
 
To pre-register for the Virgin Galactic Quest sign up at www.virgingalacticquest.com.  Once the game is ready for launch we'll email you to begin your own Virgin Galactic Quest to win that seat to space!

The Virgin Galactic Space Club:

If Skill Games aren’t your thing but you’re interested in all things Space – do not fear – we’re going to be launching the most exciting club to ever hit the World Wide Web:  The Virgin Galactic Space Club!
 
Coming soon to a galaxy near you this on-line community will feature Virgin Galactic updates, interesting facts, expert scientists to answer your questions, chat forums and the chance to win a ticket for a place on the Virgin Galactic Spaceship!

Simply log on to www.virgingalactic.com and register your interest.  First step Virgin Galactic Space Club – next step Virgin Galactic Astronaut!

NASA AND VIRGIN GALACTIC TO EXPLORE FUTURE COOPERATION

MOFFETT FIELD, Calif. - NASA officials Tuesday announced they have signed a memorandum of understanding with a U.S. company, Virgin Galactic, LLC, to explore the potential for collaborations on the development of future space systems and support to commercial human spaceflight activities.

Under the terms of the memorandum, NASA Ames Research Center, located in the heart of California's Silicon Valley, and Virgin Galactic, LLC, a U.S.-based subsidiary of Sir Richard Branson's Virgin Group, will explore future collaborations in several key technical areas, including hybrid rocket motors and hypersonic vehicles capable of traveling five or more times the speed of sound, employing NASA Ames’ unique capabilities and world-class facilities.

"As we constantly seek to build upon the advances made by explorers who have come before us, we now embark upon an exciting time in space exploration history that realizes the unlimited opportunities presented by a commercial space economy," said Shana Dale, NASA's deputy administrator. "By encouraging such potential collaborations, NASA supports the development of greater commercial collaboration and applications that will serve to strengthen and enhance the future benefits of space exploration for all of mankind."

Dale is a longtime supporter of commercial space development. She is the former staff director of the U.S. House of Representatives Subcommittee on Space and Aeronautics who was instrumental in the passage of the Commercial Space Act of 1998. This legislation encourages commercial space development in a variety of areas, including launch vehicles, the International Space Station and the acquisition of space and Earth science data.

"This understanding with Virgin Galactic affords NASA an opportunity to work with an emerging company in the commercial human space transportation industry to support the agency's exploration, science and aeronautics mission goals," said S. Pete Worden, director of Ames. "Our location in California's Silicon Valley provides a dynamic research and development platform for future potential collaborations with other such companies in support of a robust commercial space industry."

“We are excited to be working with NASA and look forward to future collaborations in exploration and space travel,” said Alex Tai, Chief Operating Officer for Virgin Galactic. “Commercial human spaceflight is a new and exciting industry.  We are concentrating on sub-orbital spaceflight right now but are really looking forward to exploring opportunities for the future and making hypersonic point-to-point travel a reality.  We take a long-term view within The Virgin Group and with Virgin Galactic we will push the boundaries of imagination further than any other industry we have so far entered – sub-orbital flights are only the beginning.” Tai added.

"This agreement is specifically aimed at future systems beyond our current sub-orbital program with The Spaceship Company (TSC) and Scaled Composites, LLC" said Tai.  TSC is a joint venture between Scaled Composites and Virgin that will manufacture spacecraft for the emerging industry.  Scaled Composites has responsibility for development of the prototype sub-orbital system as well as future projects for TSC.

NASA's Space Portal, a newly formed organization in the NASA Research Park at Ames, negotiated the agreement with Virgin Galactic. The Space Portal seeks to engage new opportunities for NASA to promote the development of the commercial space economy.

"This new type of private-public partnership can benefit the agency while helping to foster a new industry," said Dan Coughlin, NASA's lead for the Virgin Galactic agreement. 

The memorandum of understanding will be in effect for two years and stipulates that neither NASA nor Virgin Galactic will be required to pay any fees or provide funds to support the areas of possible collaboration.

Branson and Rutan Form
“The Spaceship Company”

To Jointly Manufacture and Market Spaceships for the new
Sub-Orbital Personal Spaceflight Industry

Oshkosh, Wisconsin, 27th July 2005:

Today, Sir Richard Branson (Founder, Virgin Group of Companies) and Burt Rutan (President, Scaled Composites) announced their signing of an agreement to form a new aerospace production company to build a fleet of commercial sub-orbital spaceships and launch aircraft.  The new company will own the designs of the new SpaceShipTwo (SS2) and White Knight Two (WK2) launch systems that are now in development at Scaled Composites. The SS2/WK2 system will use the ‘Care-free reentry’ and the ‘cantilevered-hybrid’ rocket motor technology developed for the Ansari X prize-winning SpaceShipOne (SS1), and will license that technology from Paul Allen’s Mojave Aerospace company. The Spaceship Company will manufacture the new launch aircraft, spaceships and support equipment and market them to spaceline operators, including the launch customer, Virgin Galactic.

The Spaceship Company will be jointly owned by Virgin and Scaled, and will contract Scaled for the research, development, testing and certification of SS2/WK2.  Burt Rutan will head up the technical development team.

Burt Rutan commented:  “I am very excited to have agreed the terms on which we can now move forward to develop the world’s-first commercial, passenger-carrying Spaceships.  This will truly herald an era of personal spaceflight first described by the visionary science fiction writers of the 1940’s and 1950’s.  Richard and I share a vision that commercially-viable and safe space tourism will provide the foundation for the human colonization of space.  I am looking forward, (actually looking way up!) to working together with Richard on this next exciting phase.”

Sir Richard Branson added:  “I couldn’t be more delighted to announce the formation of this joint venture at the biggest private aviation event in the world.  Like many millions of people growing up in the Sixties who witnessed the wonder of man walking on the moon – I dreamt that one day I too would make that ‘one small step…’!  Unfortunately though, over the last three decades, many people gave up hope - luckily people like Burt Rutan never did.  His vision has allowed people, like me, to dream again.  But even I never dreamed as boy, that one day, I would form, with Burt, the company which will build the world’s first commercial passenger spacecraft!”

In 2001, Paul Allen contracted Scaled Composites for the research and development of the SS1 system, to fulfill his vision of flying the world’s first privately-developed, reusable space vehicle.  Last year on June 21st, when Mike Melvill flew SS1 above 100 km altitude, Mr Allen forever dispelled the myth that manned space flight was the sole remit of huge Government programs. Then, on September 27th, Virgin announced the launch of Virgin Galactic, the world’s first commercial space tourism operator and a new era in space travel was born.  Virgin Galactic was a sponsor for the two successful X-prize flights completed on October 4th.  SpaceShipOne, the historic, record breaking spacecraft, will be installed this fall in the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum’s Milestones of Flight Gallery in Washington D C.

The launch customer for this new joint venture between Virgin Group and Scaled Composites will be Virgin Galactic, Sir Richard Branson’s commercial space tourism venture.  Virgin Galactic has placed orders for five SS2’s and two WK2’s, with options on further systems, thus securing the exclusive use of the systems for the initial 18 months of commercial passenger operations.

The Spaceship Company plans to make spaceflight affordable for the masses and to demonstrate the commercial viability of manned space exploration.   We are dedicated to reaching that goal with the first generation of spaceship systems developed for routine, scheduled flight operations.  Those systems will be environmentally friendly and will include new solutions to optimize both safety and the passenger experience.  We expect that as the flight hardware matures, and is operated by competing spaceline companies, many thousands of people will experience the wonder of leaving the earth’s atmosphere each year.

About Virgin:
Virgin, a leading branded venture capital organization, is one of the world's most recognized and respected brands.  Conceived in 1970 by Sir Richard Branson, the Virgin Group has gone on to grow very successful businesses in sectors ranging from mobile telephony, to transportation, travel, financial services, leisure, music, holidays, publishing and retailing. Virgin has created more than 200 companies worldwide, employing approximately 35,000 people, in 29 countries. Revenues around the world in 2003 exceeded £4.5 billion (US$7.9 billion). 

About Virgin Galactic:
The Virgin Galactic name was first registered and trade mark protection applied for in the mid 1990s. As the world’s-first commercial spaceline, Virgin Galactic will be heavily investing to setup a world-class commercial flight operation and to build the ground infrastructure required to create the best possible sub-orbital spaceflight experience for its passengers.

Virgin Galactic Showcases Its Investment
in the Development of SpaceShipTwo

Wired NextFest, New York September 28th 2006:

Virgin Galactic and Sir Richard Branson today, at New York’s Wired NextFest Forum, exclusively showcased its first representative mock-up of the passenger interior of SpaceShipTwo (SS2), set in a scaled-up version of a SpaceShipOne (SS1), which reflects the size of SpaceShipTwo.  SpaceShipOne was designed by Burt Rutan and financed by Paul G. Allen’s Mojave Aerospace Ventures. 

SS2 will be three times larger than SS1 ( with an interior approximately the size of a Gulf Stream 4 Corporate Jet) and when developed, the carrier aircraft WhiteKnightTwo (WK2) will be larger than a Boeing 757. Virgin Galactic’s SS2 and WK2 are currently under construction at Burt Rutan’s Scaled Composites at the Mojave Spaceport in California.  It is expected that SS2 and WK2 will be rolled out of the factory in the latter half of 2007, to begin test flights by early 2008, with commercial operations expected to commence in 2009.

Launched in September 2004 by Sir Richard Branson, Virgin Galactic will invest up to $250 million to develop the world’s first commercial space tourism business with the building, testing and flying of five SpaceShipTwos and two WhiteKnightTwos.  It is expected that within the first year of commercial operations Virgin Galactic will enable 500 people to fulfil their dream of becoming Astronauts; in the last 4 decades the world has seen fewer than 500 Astronauts.  

Sir Richard Branson speaking from NextFest commented:  “This is an exciting day.  Construction of SS2 is underway at Burt Rutan’s factory in Mojave California and this is the first opportunity for the public to get a sneak preview of the sheer scale of what is under construction there.  Our vision is to successfully build the world’s first environmentally benign space launch system and prove once and for all the commercial viability of a safe space launch system that we believe will eventually be capable of taking pay load and science into space as well as people.  Some of our pioneering astronauts are in New York today including the first ever frequent flyer from Virgin Atlantic to use his miles to go to space!”

Today’s representation of SS2 at the Wired NextFest Forum will give the  thousands who will visit the event a feel for the sheer size of SS2. A replica of SS1 alongside the exhibit will clearly and dramatically mark the difference. 

Designed by Seymour Powell, leading British product designers, the conceptual interior features six passenger seats with two pilot astronauts’ seats forward of the bulkhead.  Seating in SS2 will uniquely allow the passengers a comfortable ride into space and back utilising cutting edge design to minimise the impact of G force on the body.  This design, and others in development, allows our Astronauts to leave their seats and enjoy their period of weightlessness in space.  The design also allows our Astronauts to witness the magnificence of the Blue planet while floating free.  Vision will be further enhanced by large windows (approximately 15) strategically placed all around the cabin and even in the floor. Through instrumentation in the cabin, and by the use of handheld pods featuring wireless communications, the Astronauts will have the ability to carry out scientific experiments during their flight.

Will Whitehorn, President of Virgin Galactic added: “Although not visible in today’s mock-up there has been considerable technological development in the design of SpaceShipTwo and its carrier aircraft WhiteKnightTwo.  One of the exciting features of the new system will be the ability to transport it globally from its home base in New Mexico to any location in the world where we get permission to operate.  Discussions are already underway in several countries including the UK, Sweden and Australia.”

It is envisaged by both Virgin Galactic and Scaled Composites that the scaling up of SS1 will provide flexibility for future development of science in space.  Virgin Galactic is committed to developing an environmentally benign operation. Its planned operational headquarters at Spaceport America in New Mexico are being designed with the aim of generating power exclusively from sources of renewable energy.  Both SS2 and WK2 will be built of an ultra light, ultra strong composite material, which will minimize the use of energy in the deployment of the vehicle to space. This is complimented by use of the latest technology in hybrid rocket motors and next generation turbo-fan engines for SS2 and WK2 which will radically reduce the environmental impact associated with space travel to date.

Back to top------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Backgrounder on Virgin Galactic:

HISTORY:

• 1961 – Yuri Gagarin becomes the first man in space
• 1969 – Neil Armstrong becomes the first man to walk on the  moon
• 1996 – Original plans for the Ansari X prize announced. $10m for the first non-government human space flight.
• 1999 - The name Virgin Galactic is first registered as Virgin began discussions with several fledgling private space ventures with a view to investment in the sector. 
• 2001 - Paul Allen’s vision leads to the creation of SpaceShipOne by legendary aviation designer, Burt Rutan.
• 21st June, 2004 – the first manned space flight by a private, non-Government programme – Mike Melvill flying SpaceShipOne
• 27th September 2004, Sir Richard Branson and Burt Rutan announce plans or the world’s first commercial manned space operator – Virgin Galactic
• 29th September 2004 – Mike Melvill pilots the first successful X Prize qualifying flight reaching 330,000 feet.
• 4th October 2004 – Brian Binnie pilots the final X Prize flight reaching a record 368,000 feet. The X Prize is won and Virgin Galactic is born
• To date only 450 people have been to space (FAI Definition)

DESIGN AND TECHNOLOGY :

• The new Virgin spaceships (SpaceShipTwo / SS2) will be based on Burt Rutan designed SpaceShipOne, X Prize winner - a tried and tested prototype.
• Composite construction – very light and very strong.
• Two stage horizontal launch concept – mothership “White KnightTwo” and Spaceship SS2.
• Fully pressurised cabin, double skin construction
• Extremely safe and controllable hybrid rocket motor
• Unique wing - feathering technology to slow and control re-entry  (“Care-Free Re-entry”)
• Unpowered (glide) runway landing

CABIN DESIGN: 

• Each flight will carry 6 passengers and two pilots.
• Aeroplane environment
• SS2 Cabin will be fully pressurized at all stages of the flight.
• Passengers will be allowed to leave their seats and experience the joys of weightlessness.
• Reclining seats to minimise effects of G forces on re-entry
• Every passenger will have access to large windows which will allow them to enjoy the amazing views – around 1000 miles in any direction

FLIGHT SCHEDULE:

• WhiteKnightTwo (WK2) mothership climbs to 50,000 feet, carrying SS2.
• On release, the rocket motor fires and spaceship accelerates in a vertical climb to nearly four times the speed of sound
• Maximum altitude will be at least 110km
• Wings feather to allow gentle re-entry to earth’s atmosphere
• Spaceship wings reconfigure after re-entry
• Glides and returns to point of departure
• Astronauts receive their “wings”

• Flight will last around 2 ½ hours including a period of weightlessness and preceded by 3 days of pre-flight training.

LAUNCH SITE:

• Initial launch site likely to be Mojave in California, USA
• Operation will then headquarter and fly from the purpose built Spaceport America in New Mexico, USA
• Future plans to “tour” spaceflights to locations across the globe, including UK, Sweden and Australia.

PRE LAUNCH TRAINING AND ACTIVITIES:

• Three days enjoyable preparation – The Virgin Galactic Experience – to ensure that future astronauts can savour each second of their space flight.
• The interior of WK2 will replicate the SS2 interior allowing G force acclimatisation and safety training to take place on board WK2 pre the space flight itself.
• Will take place in the US close to or at the spaceport
• All included in the price

MEDICAL and AGE REQUIREMENTS:

• General good health required
• Specific screening and medical checks required before flight
• Position on flying minors - tbc
• No upper age limit but subject to health requirements

TICKET PRICE:

• The initial ticket price stands at $200,000
• Prices will fall over time to allow more to fly

HOW MANY APPLICANTS:

• Approximately 65,000 have registered with Virgin Galactic as potential astronauts, from 125 different countries

SAFETY:

• Horizontal launch at altitude – not vertical launch from ground
• Strength of construction
• Benign and controllable rocket motor propellants
• Fully pressurised cabin
• Two pilots
• Simplicity and effectiveness of wing feathering for re-entry
• Spaceship and Virgin Galactic operation will be regulated and licensed by the US Federal Aviation Authority
• Rigorous and exhaustive testing regime before launch.
• Reputation and airline /train operational experience of Virgin will guarantee safety is always the first priority

ENVIRONMENTAL CREDENTIALS:

• Ground to 50,000 feet carried by special carrier aircraft using the latest in efficient jet engine technology.

• Air launch means short rocket burn of approximately 45 seconds within the atmosphere.
• Lightweight composite construction minimises power output.
• Re-usable spacecraft – no space debris or wastage.
• New Mexico Spaceport planned to be powered by renewable energy sources.

ASTRONAUTS:
Founders

• First 100 fare paying VG astronauts
• Must pay the full ticket price ($200,000) up front
• Seat allocation to be decided by means of a grand draw to be held near the start of commercial operations.
• Reservation list for this group now closed.

Pioneers

• The next 400
• Likely to be amongst the first 1,000 humans to have left the planet
• Initial deposit of between $175,000 - $100,000 required
• Seat allocation is on a first come, first served basis within Pioneer deposit tiers.

Voyagers

• Will fly after Pioneers
• Initial deposit of 10% of ticket price required to secure a seat
• Seats allocated on a first come, first served basis

REGULATIONS:

• Our early discussions with the United States Administration and regulatory bodies have been extremely positive and all the necessary submissions are underway to facilitate smooth progress through the construction phase. We have received enormous encouragement and support from all sides.

Text of Richard Branson’s address at launch of Virgin Galactic
Royal Aeronautical Society, London, UK – 27th September 2004

Well we’re going to space.  Today is an historic day – for it will bring the dream of space travel for many millions closer to reality.

Today I’m pleased to launch our new company Virgin Galactic and to announce our plans to build - and launch – within three years the first of Virgin’s fleet of Spaceships – the VSS Enterprise.  A spaceship designed to carry fare-paying pioneers on a journey to the stars.

This is one of the most unique Press Conferences I have ever had the pleasure of holding but it is one that many of us at Virgin have dreamt about for over a decade now.

It was in the mid 1990’s that the new technologies in both software, computers and most importantly, in materials began to seriously open up the possibility of commercially viable space travel.  In particular these included the new plastic, carbon fibre and ultra heat resistant materials.  As a result Virgin registered its trademark in commercial space flights and began to look at private space projects around the world.

As I saw on visit after visit around the world most of the ideas were hopelessly impractical.

However, when Paul Allen decided to fund Burt Rutan to build SpaceShipOne to win the X-Prize all our faces at Virgin lit up!  We already knew Burt and coming from the aviation business we knew just what he was capable of.  If Burt says he can build an affordable, reusable spaceship using composite technology that he has pioneered in aviation and utilising new breakthroughs in rocket propulsion, then you can almost bet your bottom dollar that he will do it.  And do it successfully.  And that’s why we are here today.

Many of you will have seen Spaceship One on its historical record-breaking flight on the 21st June and that same ship will attempt its two X-Prize flight this Wednesday and on the 4th October, fully funded again by Paul Allen and sponsored by Virgin.  It is then likely to go to the Smithsonian Museum.

Virgin has been in talks with Paul Allen and Burt throughout this year and in the early hours of Saturday morning, signed an historical deal to license Spaceship One’s technology to build the world’s first private spaceships to go into commercial operating service.

Virgin Galactic will be run as a business.  But as a business with a sole purpose of making space travel more and more affordable to people throughout the world.  We will reinvest funds raised over the first few years of flight back into the business, striving constantly to lower prices.  Those privileged space pioneers who can afford to take our first flights will not only have the most awesome experience of their lives, but by stepping up to the plate first will bring the dream of space travel for many millions closer to reality.

We will also reinvest profits to make Burt’s dreams of orbital flights come true and one day – hopefully in our life times – we would like to see a Virgin hotel in space.

Within five years Virgin Galactic will have created over 3,000 new astronauts from many countries. Many of these countries have not had the funds to date to compete with the government funded space programmes of the super powers.  Subject to appropriate government approvals, we plan to construct launch pads for commercial space ships in a number of countries over the next few years.

Like so many others, for years I have dreamt of seeing the beauty of our planet from space, experiencing true weightlessness and fully appreciating for the first time that our tiny planet is part of something so much bigger.

Burt and I will be fortunate enough to fulfil our dreams - and to experience all this personally on the inaugural flight of Virgin Galactic’s V-SS Enterprise in three years time. As Richard Branson Astronaut rather than Richard Branson entrepreneur – my wife will find me even harder to live with.  In fact, she might wish she had suggested a one way ticket.

I hope with the launch of Virgin Galactic and the building of our fleet of space craft, that someday, children around the world will wonder why we ever thought that space travel was just a dream we read about in books or watched – with longing – in Hollywood movies.

This year, 2004, our airline has proudly delivered the youngest fleet of planes.  This very day our train company – the youngest fleet of trains. 

In 2007, our space company will proudly boast the youngest fleet of spaceships. 

As you can tell – I’m over the moon!

• Sir Richard Branson, 27th September 2004