The WhiteKnightTwo/SpaceShipTwo launch system flies over New Mexico’s Spaceport America. Photo by Mark Greenberg
All is in readiness for dedication ceremonies of Spaceport America’s new Terminal Hangar Facility – a futuristic structure to house Virgin Galactic space vehicles and serve as a departure and arrival terminal for the spaceline firm’s space passengers.
Virgin Galactic’s new home at Spaceport America is part of the world’s first purpose-built commercial spaceport, located in southern New Mexico.
The Spaceport America Terminal Hangar Facility will serve as the operating hub for Virgin Galactic, the company formed by British entrepreneur, Sir Richard Branson.
Taking paying passengers on suborbital treks is use of the WhiteKnightTwo/SpaceShipTwo launch system. This flying launch platform and rocket plane combination have been designed and built for Virgin Galactic by Mojave-based Scaled Composites.
Founded by famed aerospace designer, Burt Rutan, Scaled Composites developed SpaceShipOne, which in 2004 bagged the $10 million Ansari X Prize purse as the world’s first privately developed piloted spacecraft.
Virgin Galactic’s new vehicles share much of the same basic design, but are being built to carry six customers and two pilots on suborbital space flights.
The Spaceport America Terminal Hangar Facility dedication is taking place on October 17.
“I am very honored to be part of this fantastic journey and look forward to many more exciting milestones as we move forward into the bright future of commercial space travel,” Christine Anderson, Executive Director of the New Mexico Spaceport Authority, told this Coalition reporter.
By Leonard David