Sir Richard Branson and New Mexico Governor Susana Martinez dedicate the ‘Virgin Galactic Gateway to Space’ - a unique space terminal/hangar. Credit: Virgin Galactic
SPACEPORT AMERICA, New Mexico – The scene here is a little bit like being in Tommorowland – but it’s a 21st century reality.
Virgin Galactic – a spaceline business spearheaded by British entrepreneur, Sir Richard Branson – has dedicated its terminal/hangar facility, an iconic 120,000 square-foot building. The structure will house Virgin Galactic’s commercial space vehicles, the WhiteKnightTwo/SpaceShipTwo launch system.
Now named as the “Virgin Galactic Gateway to Space,” the structure is a combined terminal and hangar facility capable of supporting 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 a friends and family area. There is also space committed to public access via the planned New Mexico Spaceport Authority’s Visitor Experience.
During dedication ceremonies, Branson pointed out that the new facility is built using local materials and regional construction techniques. Moreover, the facility is sustainable with few additional energy requirements due to the use of a range of sustainable features including geothermal heating and cooling, he said.
Joining Branson in dedication festivities at the site was New Mexico Governor, Susana Martinez.
Future astronauts
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.
When commercially flying, the SpaceShipTwo rocket plane will boost six passengers and two pilots to the edge of space on a suborbital trajectory.
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 pointed out that flight testing by prime contractor Scaled Composites of Mojave, California 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, Whitesides said, led by former NASA space shuttle executive, now Vice President of Operations for Virgin Galactic, Mike Moses.
The test flight program is well under way and will lead to Virgin Galactic commercial operations, which will be based here at Spaceport America in New Mexico.
By Leonard David