US Okays Plans for Virgin Galactic
The US Department of State has given the green light for UK-based Virgin Galactic to work with American firms to develop passenger-carrying suborbital spacecraft.
Specifically, this will allow Virgin to license SpaceShipOne, developed by Mojave, CA-based Scaled Composites. SpaceShipOne made news -- and history -- back in October when it won the X Prize by completing two flights above 62 miles (100 km). The two companies have formed a joint venture, The Spaceship Company, that will develop suborbital craft for commercial use.
Plans are for commercial flights to begin within a couple of years. Virgin Galactic is taking reservations for the yet-to-be-constructed crafts, at $200,000 a seat.
Source: Space.com
Specifically, this will allow Virgin to license SpaceShipOne, developed by Mojave, CA-based Scaled Composites. SpaceShipOne made news -- and history -- back in October when it won the X Prize by completing two flights above 62 miles (100 km). The two companies have formed a joint venture, The Spaceship Company, that will develop suborbital craft for commercial use.
Plans are for commercial flights to begin within a couple of years. Virgin Galactic is taking reservations for the yet-to-be-constructed crafts, at $200,000 a seat.
Source: Space.com
posted by Brian on
8/17/2005
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