Advertisement

We need your help now

Support from readers like you keeps The Journal open.

You are visiting us because we have something you value. Independent, unbiased news that tells the truth. Advertising revenue goes some way to support our mission, but this year it has not been enough.

If you've seen value in our reporting, please contribute what you can, so we can continue to produce accurate and meaningful journalism. For everyone who needs it.

Virgin Galactic file photo of the VSS Enterprise being carried by its mothership VMS Eve over Spaceport America in New Mexico. Virgin Galactic/Jeffrey Vock
Spaceport

Virgin Galactic opens world's first spaceport in New Mexico

The company, which aims to become the world’s first commercial spaceline, plans to launch its first space flight within a year.

RICHARD BRANSON’S Virgin Galactic is opening the world’s first commercial spaceport in New Mexico today.

Those who have signed up for the first of the company’s space flights will join Branson and his Galactic team at Spaceport America in New Mexico today.

On his blog today, Branson described today’s event as “a momentous occasion and another big step for our great adventure”.

Virgin Galactic announced last week that NASA had booked a charter suborbital flight from the New Mexico operation and the deal includes options for two additional flights; the total contract is worth $4.5 million (€3.26 million). The company also recently announced the appointment of former NASA executive Michael Moses as its vice president of operations.

Virgin Galactic, which aims to become the world’s first commercial spaceline, is planning to launch its first flight from the New Mexico base within the coming year. It says that each space mission has space for up to 1,300lbs of scientific equipment.

For anyone interested in catching one of the space flights, tickets cost $200,000 and you can book online or through any of the accredited space agents (the nearest agents to Ireland are based in the UK). Around 430 have booked already, according to the company.

The company released this footage of the first ‘feather’ flight of its SpaceShipTwo spacecraft earlier this year. It can carry six passengers and two pilots:

- Additional reporting by the AP

Your Voice
Readers Comments
13
    Submit a report
    Please help us understand how this comment violates our community guidelines.
    Thank you for the feedback
    Your feedback has been sent to our team for review.