Virgin Galactic’s commercial space vehicles WhiteKnightTwo and SpaceShipTwo flew in New Mexico during dedication ceremonies at Virgin Galactic’s new Spaceport America Complex.
Sir Norman Foster designed the 120,000sq.ft (11,150sq.m) LEED Gold building. Foster+Partners, along with URS Corporation and architects SMPC won a 2007 international competition to build the first private spaceport in the world. Virgin Galactic also announced their new scientific (NASA’s Flight Opportunity Program for US$4.5m or €3.28m) and educational customers (Purdue University, Space Florida and the Challenger Center for Space Science Education and Southwest Research Institute) for the world’s first commercial space line.
The purpose-built space terminal is called the Virgin Galactic Gateway to Space. The terminal and hangar facility will hold two WhiteKnightTwo and five SpaceShipTwo vehicles, the astronaut preparation and celebration facilities, a mission control center, and a friends and family area. Public access will be via the planned New Mexico's Spaceport Authority’s Visitor Experience.
“Today is another history-making day for Virgin Galactic,” said Sir Richard Branson. “We are here with a group of incredible people who are helping us lead the way in creating one of the most important new industrial sectors of the 21st century. We’ve never wavered in our commitment to the monumental task of pioneering safe, affordable and clean access to space, or to demonstrate that we mean business at each step along the way.”
Branson and his children, Sam and Holly, will be the first commercial passengers on SpaceShipTwo. At 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.
The Virgin Galactic Gateway to Space Building uses local materials and regional construction techniques, geothermal heating and cooling.
“For me, my children and our ever growing community of future astronauts, many of whom are with us today, standing in front of the Virgin Galactic Gateway to Space as it glimmers majestically under the New Mexican sun brings our space adventure so close we can almost taste it,” said Sir Richard.
It is good to see that a sustainable building has been built, but it would also be nice to hear that the offsets for the launch would be included in the price. See Sooty Space Flights for more info on the very surprising possible Virgin Galactic impacts on global warming.
Via Virgin Galactic Press Release
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