- The call is out for astronaut-pilots to fly passengers on suborbital treks. Credit: Virgin Galactic
Wanted: Pilot-Astronauts!
The call is out from the private spaceliner group, Virgin Galactic, regarding its need for pilot-astronauts.
Bankrolled by the UK’s Sir Richard Branson, Virgin Galactic is on a glide path to become the world’s first commercial spaceline.
According to the group, pilot-astronaut responsibilities include the WhiteKnightTwo and SpaceShipTwo spaceflight system test program in accordance with government regulations and company policies in Mojave, California and Virgin Galactic’s commercial operations at Spaceport America in New Mexico.
Qualified candidates are full course graduates of a recognized test pilot school who are broadly experienced with both high-performance fast-jet type airplanes and large multi-engine types.
“Prior spaceflight experience is desirable,” notes a Virgin Galactic press release.
Virgin Galactic’s SpaceShipTwo is built to carry six customers and two pilots on sub-orbital space flights.
The entrepreneurial space firm’s 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.
For more information and to apply, visit the Virgin Careers site:
http://careers.virgin.com/ …and search for Virgin Galactic.
By Leonard David