Virgin Galactic logo.
May 30, 2014
Virgin Galactic, founded by Richard Branson, has signed an agreement with U.S. authorities. The first flights were to take place by the end of the year.
Virgin Galactic's SpaceShipTwo
The agreement must allow Virgin Galactic to carry passengers into space on commercial flights.
The agreement with the U.S. Federal Aviation Agency (FAA) details how future space flights launched from the U.S. base in Virgin Galactic in New Mexico, can coexist with the usual air traffic.
"Our team is working hard to start spaceflight affordable and regular from Spaceport America and this agreement brings us one step closer to that goal," said the CEO of the company founded by Richard Branson, George Whitesides.
The group needed the agreement in order to eventually launch commercial space flights , for which more than 600 people have already bought their ticket at $ 250,000 (CHF 224'000) unit.
Virgin Galactic's Third Powered Flight
Video above: On the 10th of January 2014, Virgin Galactic's SpaceShipTwo completed it's third powered test flight. In command on the flight deck for the first time under rocket power was Virgin Galactic's Chief Pilot Dave Mackay.
Moreover Richard Branson himself, celebrities like Leonardo DiCaprio or twins Tyler and Cameron Winklevoss, who claimed paternity of Facebook have already booked a ticket. The first flights are expected by the end of the year.
SpaceShipTwo under rocket power
The agreement announced Thursday by Virgin Galactic occurred a few hours before the main rival Virgin in spaceflight, the SpaceX company founded by U.S. billionaire Elon Musk, will unveils its new device, called Dragon V2.
For more information about Virgin Galactic, visit: http://www.virgingalactic.com/
Images, Video, Text, Credits: AFP / Virgin Galactic / Translation: Orbiter.ch Aerospace.
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