Betty Maclean Travel, Inc. and Virgin Galactic

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Why Are You Waiting to Become a Virgin Galactic Astronaut?
View a video about the Virgin Galactic experience,
from the future astronauts themselves!
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Virgin Galactic Gateway to Space

Dancers Perform for the Crowd

Gov. Susana Martinez & Sir Richard Branson
on the balcony of the new building.

Buzz Aldrin & Sir Richard Branson

A NEW DAWN...

October 17th, 2011 saw passage of a major milestone in the fast-developing arena of commercial space operations. Fledgling space line Virgin Galactic held a dedication ceremony for their newly completed Terminal Hangar Facility.

As the anchor tenants at Spaceport America, the company worked closely with the New Mexico Spaceport Authority to design and build a truly unique structure for their new base of operations. The LEED Gold certified building was designed by renowned architects Foster + Partners, who went to great lengths to ensure the structure blended in to its natural surroundings while still evoking the new space age. Those attending the event agreed these objectives have been achieved.

Hundreds of Virgin Galactic customers, dignitaries and international media gathered at the gleaming new facility to witness another historic stop along the road to commercial space tourism. The group was welcomed by Virgin founder Sir Richard Branson. During his remarks he spoke about the imperative behind the cause and the need to be pioneers at the dawn of a new phase in human achievement. The customers in attendance were acknowledged for their crucial role in paving the way for a future of affordable space tourism and transport.

During the ceremony, it was announced that new flight reservations have been made by research and education institutions to support research initiatives and inspire students. Purdue University, Space Florida, The Challenger Center for Space Education and Southwest Research Institute were recognized as the most recent participants in this new growth area for Virgin Galactic.

During the ceremonies, Richard Branson invited the group to enjoy a performance by two very special guests at which point WhiteKnightTwo carrying SpaceShipTwo taxied out to take off from Spaceport America for a stunning flight demonstration. To conclude the events of the day and as part of the ceremony to formally name the new building 'Virgin Galactic Gateway to Space', Richard and his children Holly and Sam, who will be the first commercial passengers on SpaceShipTwo rappelled together from the balcony of the striking new building, bringing the event to a spectacular conclusion.

Betty Maclean Travel, Inc.
2245 Venetian Court
Naples, FL 34109
Phone: 1-800-865-8111 or 239-513-0333
Web: www.bettymacleantravel.com/virgingalactic/
Email: Info@BettyMacleanTravel.com

Contact Betty Maclean Travel, Inc. your Virgin Galactic Accredited
Space Agent for more information about Virgin Galactic Space Travel

The VIRGIN GALACTIC name and logos, the GALACTIC logo and IRIS device are trademarks of Virgin Enterprises Limited.
The trademarks VIRTUOSO, the Globe Swirl Logo, SPECIALISTS IN THE ART OF TRAVEL are registered trademarks of Virtuoso, Ltd. All rights reserved. Other trademarks are the property of their respective owners. CST#2069091-40 12/09

Richard Branson and VP of Operations for TSC, Enrico Palermo in the newly upgraded fabrication and assembly building.

TSC's fabrication & assembly building.

The TSC Team in front of 'FAITH' in July 2011.

THE SPACESHIP COMPANY

Spaceship production operations at The Spaceship Company (TSC) in Mojave California continue to accelerate. TSC is producing a fleet of SpaceShipTwos and WhiteKnightTwos for Virgin Galactic. The TSC team has doubled in size to over 70 staff since March 2011 and recruitment is ongoing. In this Space Bulletin we take a closer look at TSC and their crucial contribution to Virgin Galactic operations…

Sir Richard Branson and Burt Rutan announced the formation of TSC in 2005 as a joint venture between Virgin Galactic and Scaled Composites. Virgin Galactic and TSC contracted Scaled to develop and build the WhiteKnightTwo (WK2) and SpaceShipTwo (SS2) suborbital space flight system, both of which have been built and are in the advanced stages of a comprehensive development and test program at Scaled Composites in Mojave, CA.

In order to build Virgin Galactic’s fleet, TSC now occupies 2 facilities at Mojave Air & Spaceport comprising over 130,000 feet of space including a fabrication and assembly facility for building major components of the SpaceShipTwo and WhiteKnightTwo vehicles such as the astronaut cabin, a brand new purpose built hangar called ‘FAITH’ for the final assembly, integration and testing of the vehicles as well as a production storage building. Construction of the FAITH building, an $8 million investment, commenced in November 2010 and is on track for completion this month.

This vast hangar will be able to support the production of two WK2’s and at least two SS2’s at the same time and will meet LEED standards, an internationally recognized green building certification system. To ensure TSC is ready for future growth they have secured options for expanding the size of FAITH to build an adjacent flight test hangar. Once the Virgin Galactic vehicles are operational, TSC will also support major ‘return-to-base’ maintenance from FAITH.

TSC is very proud of the passionate, visionary and talented individuals that have joined its team from a wide variety of aeronautical, space projects and industry. TSC has a tremendously exciting product in a groundbreaking new industry and it’s still growing! TSC is now a key employer in Mojave and expects to grow to at least 175 personnel over the next couple of years. High priority recruitment opportunities are available in all areas of the business, particularly in engineering, supply chain, vehicle assembly & integration. See www.thespaceshipcompany.com. Individuals that are talented, self-motivated, dedicated to success and most importantly, passionate about building safe, affordable and innovative spaceships should apply now!

The VIRGIN GALACTIC name and logos, the GALACTIC logo and IRIS device are trade marks of Virgin Enterprises Limited. The trademarks VIRTUOSO, the Globe Swirl Logo, SPECIALISTS IN THE ART OF TRAVEL are registered trademarks of Virtuoso, Ltd. All rights reserved. Other trademarks are the property of their respective owners. CST#2069091-40 12/09.

VIRGIN RECRUITS PILOT-ASTRONAUTS

April 2011 yielded yet another sign that Virgin Galactic is well on its way to becoming the world's first commercial space line when the company began recruiting its first wave of pilot-astronauts. The announcement generated extensive media coverage around the globe and in this Space Bulletin we look at what it takes to earn the exciting job title of "Virgin Galactic Pilot-Astronaut"...

SpaceShipOne makes history when it soars into space in 2004 with Scaled Composites test pilot Brian Binnie at the controls. SpaceShipOne completed 3 successful spaceflights and is the prototype for SpaceShipTwo, now being prepared to carry Virgin customers to space.

Virgin Galactic Chief Pilot Dave Mackay who brings extensive experience to Virgin Galactic including several years as a fighter pilot, test pilot and Captain for Virgin Atlantic Airways.

The WhiteKnightTwo and SpaceShipTwo vehicles during a test flight in 2010.

So far 420 people from around the world have put down deposits to secure their place in space. Many steps need to be taken to ensure that Virgin Galactic offer passengers a ride that is not only memorable but as safe as it can possibly be. A major part of that is a rigorous test flight program and ensuring the most experienced pilots are prepared to carry out commercial flights.

Scaled Composites is designing, developing and testing the WhiteKnightTwo and SpaceShipTwo vehicles for Virgin Galactic and employ a team of extremely experienced professional test pilots to undertake the extensive flight testing required. The Spaceship Company (TSC), a joint venture between Virgin Galactic and Scaled Composites, is on track to manufacture two additional WhiteKnightTwo as well as five SpaceShipTwo vehicles. Once each vehicle is prepared it is handed over to Virgin for commercial flights operated by pilots employed by Virgin Galactic.

"WhiteKnightTwo flies a lot like a regular airliner whereas SpaceShipTwo is more like a nimble jet fighter." says Mark "Forger" Stucky, Test Pilot Engineer for Scaled Composites. With this in mind Virgin Galactic is seeking Astronaut-Pilots with a combination of jet fighter experience and regular aircraft experience, with commercial airline experience being a big advantage due to the amount of interaction flight crew will have with Virgin Galactic passengers.

"We will carry out numerous space flights in order to fully test the vehicles and the passenger experience, always keeping safety in mind." Says Dave Mackay, Chief Pilot for Virgin Galactic. "For this reason in the initial phase of recruitment we are looking for pilots with extensive test flying experience in order to prepare for commercial operations."

Despite strict entry criteria that assures only the best of the best can be considered, Virgin Galactic was pleasantly overwhelmed when they received well over 400 serious applications for these astronaut-pilot roles and hope to announce the first recruits shortly."What test pilot wouldn’t want this job? How many people get the chance to test cutting edge aircraft and spacecraft and take them to an operational status for the general public to experience?" says Stucky. "This will be the pinnacle of my career because this project will have the most dramatic "firsts" as well as being the most influential on the future of commercial aviation. I seriously believe that due to the nature of the project, the vast public interest and how the Internet makes the world more connected; that this project has the potential to have the most dramatic affect on commercial flight than any before."

Even if you don’t think you have what it takes to become an astronaut-pilot you can still reserve your place in space with Virgin Galactic today! Contact your Accredited Space Agent for more information.

, The VIRGIN GALACTIC name and logos, the GALACTIC logo and IRIS device are trade marks of Virgin Enterprises Limited. The trademarks VIRTUOSO, the Globe Swirl Logo, SPECIALISTS IN THE ART OF TRAVEL are registered trademarks of Virtuoso, Ltd. All rights reserved. Other trademarks are the property of their respective owners. CST#2069091-40 12/09.

Virgin Galactic is a company owned and established by Richard Branson's Virgin Group to undertake the challenge of making private space travel available to everyone and by creating the world's first commercial spaceline.

Virgin will own and operate privately built spaceships, based on the history making SpaceShipOne . These spaceships, will allow affordable private sub-orbital space travel for the first time in history and give you the opportunity of being amongst the very first private astronauts.

Betty Maclean Travel, Inc. is proud to have two Virgin Galactic Specialists - Mary Ann Ramsey, CTC, DS, President is an Accredited Space Agent. She was handpicked by Virgin Galactic to be one of the first consultants in North America to sell seats aboard Virgin Galactic flights. She has undergone intensive training on every aspect of the suborbital flight, and has participated in many of the milestone events Virgin Galactic has celebrated in the past two years. Claudia Gordon, CTC, DS, Senior Travel Consultant is a Space Travel Specialist. She has also been extensively trained on Virgin Galactic's program and ships.

Find additional information and updates about Virgin Galactic below.

Spaceport Runway Dedication
October 22, 2010

UPHAM, NM – The New Mexico Spaceport Authority (NMSA) today dedicated the nearly two-mile long “Governor Bill RIchardson Spaceway” at Spaceport America, representing significant progress toward launching commercial customers into space from the desert of New Mexico. Governor Bill Richardson, Sir Richard Branson and approximately 30 of more than 380 Virgin Galactic future astronauts attended the event along with guests from around the world and watched a flyover and landing by Virgin Galactic’s WhiteKnightTwo, in a captive carry with SpaceShipTwo.

“We are celebrating the world’s first spaceway at the world’s first purpose-built, commercial spaceport,” said Governor Richardson. “New Mexico is not only helping to launch the commercial spaceflight industry, but we are launching new jobs and opportunities for the people of southern New Mexico. Today marks a significant milestone on our historic and exciting journey.”

The nearly two-mile long runway was officially named the “Governor Bill Richardson Spaceway” at the event, and Governor Richardson joined Sir Richard in placing their handprints in clay as a permanent commemoration of the historic day. NMSA Chairman Ben Woods said the board of the NMSA had met early today to formally and unanimously approve the name of the spaceway.

Governor Richardson, Sir Richard Branson, the Virgin Galactic future astronauts and the guests were all invited to tour the terminal hangar facility, which is nearing completion. The iconic building, meeting Gold LEED standards, will serve as the operating hub for Virgin Galactic and is expected to house up to two WhiteKnightTwos and five SpaceShipTwos, in addition to all of Virgin’s astronaut preparation facilities and mission control.

The 42-inch thick spaceway is designed to support nearly every type of aircraft in the world today. It is made up of 24 inches of prepared sub-grade, followed by four inches of asphalt, and finished with a 14-inch layer of concrete. The spaceway will accommodate returning launch vehicles, fly-back rocket boosters and other space launch and training vehicles.

Spaceport America has been providing commercial launch services since 2006. The state-of-the-art launch facility is under construction near Truth or Consequences, New Mexico, and is expected to become fully operational in 2011. Officials at Spaceport America have been working closely with their anchor tenant Virgin Galactic and other leading aerospace firms such as Lockheed Martin, Moog-FTS, Armadillo Aerospace, and UP Aerospace to develop commercial spaceflight at the new facility. The economic impact of launches, tourism and new construction at Spaceport America are already delivering on its promise to the people of New Mexico.

WhiteKnightTwo mothership & VMS Eve October 10, 2010

Mojave, CA. Virgin Galactic, the US company developing the world’s first commercial manned space flight system and tourism business, is delighted to announce the successful completion today of the first piloted free flight of SpaceShipTwo, named the VSS Enterprise. The spaceship was released from its mothership at an altitude of 45,000 ft (13,700 metres).

Click Here
To View Video Footage of this Historic Event

During its first flight the spaceship was piloted by Pete Siebold, assisted by Mike Alsbury as co-pilot. The two main goals of the flight were to carry out a clean release of the spaceship from its mothership and for the pilots to free fly and glide back and land at Mojave Air and Space Port in California.

Other detailed objectives of the flight were successfully completed, including; verification that all systems worked prior and following the clean release of Enterprise; initial evaluation of handling and stall characteristics; qualitative evaluation of stability and control of SS2 against predictions from design and simulation work; verification of performance by evaluating the liftto-drag ratio of the spaceship during glide flight; practice a landing approach at altitude and finally descend and land.

Preparations for the milestone flight were extensive. The WhiteKnightTwo mothership (Eve) flew 40 times including 4 captive carry flights of spaceship and mothership mated together. The most recent captive carry was on Sept 30th. The most recent solo flight was on October 5th and demonstrated that all the systems required for a free flight by the VSS Enterprise were functioning correctly without any safety issues. Commenting on the successful flight Scaled Composites pilot, Pete Siebold, said “The VSS Enterprise was a real joy to fly, especially when one considers the fact that the vehicle has been designed not only to be a Mach 3.5 spaceship capable of going into space but also one of the worlds highest altitude gliders.” Sir Richard Branson, founder of Virgin Group, who was present during the first successful flight, added “This was one of the most exciting days in the whole history of Virgin. For the first time since we seriously began the project in 2004, I watched the world’s first manned commercial spaceship landing on the runway at Mojave Air and Space Port and it was a great moment. Now, the sky is no longer the limit and we will begin the process of pushing beyond to the final frontier of space itself over the next year.”

Virgin Galactic is now well on the way to becoming the world’s first commercial space line with 370 customer deposits totalling $50 million.

WhiteKnightTwo & SpaceShipTwo
July 15, 2010

WhiteKnightTwo & SpaceShipTwo completed their third captive carry flight. But this was a very significant one as for the first time there were two pilots crewing SpaceShipTwo. There was much anticipation in the lead up to this flight, it was a major milestone in the test flight program. It was a cause for celebration for all of the people at Scaled and Virgin Galactic.

As well as the technical milestones achieved, today was the first time SS2 flew with VG livery on her underside. Today's flight was one of the last milestones to achieve before SS2 under goes her glide test program, meaning that she will fly alone for the first time. Scaled and Virgin Galactic are delighted that things are progressing as planned and we all here at Betty Maclean Travel, Inc. share their excitement.

VSS Enterprise takes to the sky!
March 22, 2010

VSS Enterprise, the world's first commercial manned spaceship leaves Terra Firma for the first time and performs a flawless maiden flight attached to the VMS Eve Mothership. The flight lasts just short of three hours and both vehicles climbed to an altitude of 45,000ft.

VSS Enterprise Revealed
December 7, 2009

On a cold and windy Mojave evening, over 800 of the world's media, invited guests and VIP's, including Governors Schwarzenegger and Richardson also included was our very own Mary Ann Ramsey, all joined Sir Richard Branson and Burt Rutan to herald the dawn of a new era.

In a dramatic unveil, Virgin Galactic’s first SpaceShipTwo emerges from the darkness attached to her Mothership, VMS Eve, to a fabulous light and music show. Holly Branson, Sir Richard’s daughter, along with the two Governors perform the naming ceremony of the world’s first commercial manned spaceship - Virgin Spaceship Enterprise. The spaceship is now ready to commence an exhaustive test fight program prior to the start of full commercial operations.

WhiteKnightTwo has left the ground!
WK2 (WhiteKnightTwo) has just successfully completed her very first flight test and has touched down on the runway at Mojave.

With Peter Siebold and Clint Nichols piloting, WK2 was in the air for just over one hour and climbed to a top altitude of 16,000 ft.

Enrico Palermo, Virgin Galactic's Project Engineering Manager was fortunate enough to be on the ground in Mojave, CA over the weekend to witness the lead up to the maiden flight of Virgin Mothership Eve and the flight itself. Enrico reports:

With the bizarre weather in Mojave last week (i.e. a snow storm!), a pre-Christmas first flight of VMS Eve was starting to look doubtful. However, due to a dramatic change in weather and a great push by the Scaled team, Virgin Galactic was advised late Friday afternoon London time that there was a good chance of high speed taxi tests and a first flight over the weekend. Plans immediately swung into action to get our film crews and photographers out to the site to capture this moment in history.

Saturday Morning
0600 - a crew briefing was held to go through the plans for the day. The weather looked great in the morning, with a chance of strong winds later on. Medium speed and high speed tests went very well. I was stationed in mission control for the taxi tests which provided a unique and exciting perspective. In the end, Scaled decided not to proceed with the first flight on Saturday as the infamous Mojave winds arrived exceeding the prescribed flight test limits. However, when the crew reconvened later at 2pm, having reviewed the taxi tests, there was unanimous agreement that everything was GO for a first flight on Sunday, weather permitting.

Sunday Morning:
0400 - This morning the team was on site early as they knew that the winds would get stronger later in the day and therefore an early start was vital. At 5am, while it was still pretty cold outside, Eve was rolled out of its hangar to be prepared for flight. Winds were calm - almost non-existent - though some nearby airports were registering winds, adding just a slight touch of apprehension that the weather could play a part. Scaled's flight test requirements are rightly very strict on weather conditions for a first flight. At 6am, another crew briefing was held to review the test card for first flight and the green light was given for the first flight attempt.
0700 - Eve's inboard engines were started and pre-flight tests carried out. The aircraft was taxied out to Mojave runway 30 at around 7:45am on a glorious, calm Mojave morning. At the runway hammerhead, final checks were completed and the outboard engines were started. Clearance to take off was given at approximately 8:15am, the engines were throttled up and VMS Eve powered down the runway. After a matter of seconds she was airborne for the first time and climbed gracefully through the air. To see Eve flying, with her unusual twin fuselage configuration, was a truly amazing sight. A chase plane, circling up to this point, then flew alongside Eve so that the flight test team could start working through the test card.
0800 - After almost an hour of flight, it was time to bring Eve back in. Before landing, the pilots flew a low approach over runway 30 to simulate and practice for landing. The people now accumulated in the spaceport’s public viewing area (mainly Scaled staff, airport staff and family of the crew) probably had the best view here as the aircraft came in low. With a successful low pass completed, the crew circled around, requested clearance and came in for a landing. VMS Eve's first landing was flawless, and she coasted down the runway to a full stop. Her maiden flight was over, and the debriefing and celebrations could begin!

On July 28, 2008 history was made
when Sir Richard Branson and Burt Rutan revealed WhiteKnightTwo to the world..

The world's first and only completely carbon composite aircraft purpose-built for spaceflight launch, WhiteKnightTwo will launch the world's first commercial passengers into space.

With four incredibly fuel efficient Pratt & Whitney engines and named VMS Eve in honor of Richard Branson's mother, SpaceShipTwo's mothership will commence an extensive test flight program with Scaled Composites later this year.

Once this is complete, she will begin tests flights with SpaceShipTwo in preparation for commercial spaceflight operations out of Spaceport America in New Mexico.

From Mary Ann Ramsey, Virgin Galactic Accredited Space Agent and Claudia Gordon, Virgin Galactic Space Travel Specialist:

On August 15, 2008 we were two of just 25 travel consultants from the United States given a behind-the-scenes tour by Burt Rutan and Brian Binnie of Scaled Composites, the company that won the 10 million dollar Ansari X-Prize in 2004 for sending a man to space and back twice in just six days with a re-usable and privately funded spaceflight system.

Scaled Composites are now building SpaceShipTwo and WhiteKnightTwo, the revolutionary vehicles that will be taking commercial passengers to space in just a few years time.

During the tour we were given a private viewing of WhiteKnightTwo, the world's largest completely carbon composite aircraft purpuse-built for spaceflight launch and one of the most fuel efficient aircrafts on Earth.

If you would like to find out about the ultimate life experience, then please contact Mary Ann Ramsey or Claudia Gordon and we will be delighted to share our knowledge with you...

Mary Ann Ramsey, CTC, DS, ASA
Betty Maclean Travel, Inc.
E: MaryAnn@BettyMacleanTravel.com
P: 239-513-0333 or 800-865-8111
W: www.BettyMacleanTravel.com

Claudia Gordon, CTC, DS, STS
Betty Maclean Travel, Inc.
E: Claudia@BettyMacleanTravel.com
P: 239-513-0333 or 800-865-8111
W: www.BettyMacleanTravel.com

RESERVE YOUR PLACE IN SPACE NOW AND HELP MAKE HISTORY!

Already well over 250 people have put down a deposit to secure their place in history and experience the final frontier for themselves. Reserve now for an experience that begins from the day you become a Virgin Galactic Future Astronaut. You will be joining one of the most exclusive clubs in the world with VIP invitations to project milestone events and much more.

To find out more, contact Mary Ann Ramsey or Claudia Gordon, who have been handpicked by Virgin from some of the best travel advisors on Earth and have been intensively trained to give you the best service possible.

Mary Ann Ramsey with WhiteKnightTwo
Scaled Composites; Mojave, California

Claudia Gordon with WhiteKnightTwo
Scaled Composites; Mojave, California

Listen to an interview with Mary Ann Ramsey
on the radio show Gulf Coast Live! with Luis Hernandez on WGCU FM 90.1 here

To listen: Right click on link and select 'Save Target As' to download mp3.
File size is 36mb.

VIRTUOSO SPECIALIST, MARY ANN RAMSEY
IS OVER THE MOON FOR SPACE TRAVEL

MARY ANN RAMSEY SELECTED BY VIRGIN GALACTIC
TO BECOME AN ACCREDITED SPACE AGENT IN NORTH AMERICA

“Fly me to the moon” is no longer a romantic notion, it’s a request that Virtuoso travel consultant Mary Ann Ramsey, CTC, DS will soon hear. Virgin Galactic, in conjunction with Virtuoso, proudly announced the travel consultants who will train to become “Accredited Space Agents” – the first and only consultants in North America allowed to reserve seats aboard Virgin Galactic’s suborbital space flights. Mary Ann Ramsey is among an elite group of 45 consultants, the only one in Southwest Florida, selected for this unique accreditation process.

As a part of this select group of consultants, Ms. Ramsey recently went through an extensive three day training program at Kennedy Space Center. She can now begin reserving seats for the flights, currently set to launch in early 2009.

To date, the world has seen fewer than 500 astronauts, but with the launch of Virgin Galactic spaceflights that will soon change. Together with Virgin Galactic, Virtuoso’s “Accredited Space Agents” are poised to turn the dream of going to space into a reality for their clientele. The once-in-a-lifetime experience includes Astronaut training, ‘G force’ acclimatization and a sensational spaceflight lasting over two hours. At $200,000 per ticket, Virgin Galactic’s flights are a mere fraction of the $20 million price tag associated with other commercial space tourism. And while Virgin Galactic’s technology makes space travel more attainable for the general public, it takes a talented and skilled luxury travel consultant to sell a trip to space.

Read an article on Virgin Galactic in a recent issue of Virtuoso Life magazine.
Features an interview with Richard Branson
View here

About Virgin Galactic
Virgin Galactic is a company established by Richard Branson's Virgin Group to undertake the challenge of developing space tourism for everybody. It will own and operate privately built spaceships, modeled on the history-making SpaceShipOne craft. These spaceships will allow affordable sub-orbital space tourism for the first time in our history. Virgin Galactic will run as a business with the sole purpose of making space travel more and more affordable to people throughout the world. They will reinvest funds made over the first few years back into the business striving constantly to lower prices.

Artist Rendering of Spaceport America in New Mexico

Virgin Galactic Three-Day Experience
After three days of exciting preparation, bonding and training, passengers will board the spaceship, which climbs to 50,000 feet while attached to a specially designed carrier aircraft – an intrinsically safer way to launch than vertically from the ground. From here, the spaceship releases from the carrier and climbs vertically, reaching the speed of sound in 10 seconds and around four times the speed of sound in under 30 seconds, all while powered by a clean and safe hybrid rocket motor.

Traveling at over 3,000 miles an hour, the G-force surge will push the would-be astronauts back into their seats as they head into the black sky and a maximum altitude of about 75 miles above the earth's surface. When the rocket motor shuts down, everyone on board will experience the silence of space and the magic of weightlessness. They will be able to see the curvature of the earth and 1,000 miles in any direction. They will also see the atmosphere protecting the earth.

Passengers will experience the wonder of weightlessness before the spacecraft returns to earth, passing back through the atmosphere without a heat build-up thanks to the unique wing feathering technology, and making a normal runway landing.

Virgin Galactic: Quick Facts

SPACE FLIGHT HISTORY:

1961 – Yuri Gagarin becomes the first man in space

1969 – Neil Armstrong becomes the first man to walk on the moon

1996 – Original plans for the Ansari X prize announced. $10m for the first non-government human space flight.

1999 - The name Virgin Galactic is first registered as Virgin began discussions with several fledgling private space ventures with a view to investment in the sector.

2001 - Paul Allen’s vision leads to the creation of SpaceShipOne by legendary aviation designer, Burt Rutan.

21st June, 2004 – the first manned space flight by a private, non-Government program – Mike Melvill flying SpaceShipOne

27th September 2004, Sir Richard Branson and Burt Rutan announce plans or the world’s first commercial manned space operator – Virgin Galactic

29th September 2004 – Mike Melvill pilots the first successful X Prize qualifying flight reaching 330,000 feet.

4th October 2004 – Brian Binnie pilots the final X Prize flight reaching a record 368,000 feet. The X Prize is won and Virgin Galactic is born

To date only 450 people have been to space (FAI Definition)

DESIGN AND TECHNOLOGY :

The new Virgin spaceships (SpaceShipTwo / SS2) will be based on Burt Rutan designed SpaceShipOne, X Prize winner - a tried and tested prototype.

Composite construction – very light and very strong.

Two stage horizontal launch concept – mothership “White KnightTwo” and Spaceship SS2.

Fully pressurised cabin, double skin construction

Extremely safe and controllable hybrid rocket motor

Unique wing - feathering technology to slow and control re-entry (“Care-Free Re-entry”)

Unpowered (glide) runway landing

CABIN DESIGN:

Each flight will carry 6 passengers and two pilots.

SS2 Cabin will be fully pressurized at all stages of the flight.

Passengers will be allowed to leave their seats and experience the joys of weightlessness.

Reclining seats to minimise effects of G forces on re-entry

Every passenger will have access to large windows which will allow them to enjoy the amazing views – around 1000 miles in any direction

FLIGHT SCHEDULE:

WhiteKnightTwo (WK2) mothership climbs to 50,000 feet, carrying SS2.

On release, the rocket motor fires and spaceship accelerates in a vertical climb to nearly four times the speed of sound

Maximum altitude will be at least 68 miles

Wings feather to allow gentle re-entry to earth’s atmosphere

Spaceship wings reconfigure after re-entry

Glides and returns to point of departure

Astronauts receive their “wings”

Flight will last around 2 ½ hours including a period of weightlessness and preceded by 3 days of pre-flight training.

LAUNCH SITE:

Initial launch site likely to be Mojave in California, USA

Operation will then headquarter and fly from the purpose built Spaceport America in New Mexico, USA

PRE LAUNCH TRAINING AND ACTIVITIES:

Three days enjoyable preparation – The Virgin Galactic Experience – to ensure that future astronauts can savour each second of their space flight.

The interior of WK2 will replicate the SS2 interior allowing G force acclimatisation and safety training to take place on board WK2 pre the space flight itself.

Will take place in the US close to or at the spaceport

All included in the price

TICKET PRICE:

The initial ticket price stands at $200,000

Prices will fall over time to allow more to fly

HOW MANY APPLICANTS:

Approximately 65,000 have registered with Virgin Galactic as potential astronauts, from 125 different countries

SAFETY:

Horizontal launch at altitude – not vertical launch from ground

Benign and controllable rocket motor propellants

Two pilots

Simplicity and effectiveness of wing feathering for re-entry

Spaceship and Virgin Galactic operation will be regulated and licensed by the US Federal Aviation Authority

Rigorous and exhaustive testing regime before launch.

ENVIRONMENTAL CREDENTIALS:

Ground to 50,000 feet carried by special carrier aircraft using the latest in efficient jet engine technology.

Air launch means short rocket burn of approximately 45 seconds within the atmosphere.

Lightweight composite construction minimises power output.

Re-usable spacecraft – no space debris or wastage.

New Mexico Spaceport planned to be powered by renewable energy sources.

To learn more about Virgin Galactic, check out this information!
Call us at (239) 513-0333 or (800) 865-8111
or email us!

Introducing Zahra the Betty Maclean Travel, Inc. Space Dog!
She's ready to go into space in style!

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