I'm to excited, what's this say? I registered for this flight along time ago. I can't read right now. OMG!
THANK YOU for registering your interest at virgingalactic.com and welcome to this first update from Virgin Galactic.
The launch of Virgin Galactic last year and the news that Sir Richard Branson planned to take paying passengers into space suggests the Ansari X Prize has achieved its goal in providing the catalyst for commercial manned space travel. You and many thousands of other future astronauts from across the globe have brought that goal another step closer.
The Virgin Galactic team has been busy putting the foundations of the business in place and dealing with the enormous interest the initiative has generated. It has taken longer than we had hoped to respond to you and we would like to thank you for your patience. We are going to keep you regularly informed about developments at Virgin Galactic as our quest for commercial space travel moves closer to fruition.
MISSION UPDATE
DESIGN AND BUILD Work is well underway in the Mojave Desert on the initial design and technical feasibility of Virgin SpaceShip “Enterprise” and MotherShip “Eve”. Burt Rutan and his team at Scaled Composites are excited and encouraged by the results from this work.
Alex Tai, Head of Operations at Virgin Galactic explained, “Although we can’t divulge any details yet, we are confident that our safety and configuration specifications can and will be met and that we will very soon be able to move to the construction stage of the project”.
RESERVATION PROCESS Virgin Galactic is open for business! We are starting the process of taking reservations for the first year’s flights and will shortly be accepting deposits. Stephen Attenborough, Head of Astronaut Relations, recently enthused, “Our first astronauts will be pioneers in the true sense of the word; not only will they be amongst the world’s first commercial astronauts, but their early commitment will help to bring the project to fruition and pave the way for thousands of others to make the dream a reality".
Ticket prices for initial flights have been set at US$200,000. Flights are filling quickly but space is still available. Refundable deposits of at least $20,000 will be required to secure a seat. If you are ready to make a reservation, please click here to give us a few more details about yourself and we will contact you as soon as possible. The first 100 to fly will be invited to become Virgin Galactic Founders. Our Founders will help shape our plans over the next 3 years and enjoy unique access to the project as it develops.
Our aim is to reduce ticket prices as the business grows over the coming years. We plan to offer the opportunity to reserve these tickets by payment of a small deposit against a future space flight at a time and price that suits you.
GLOBAL FLYER SUCCESS!
The Virgin Galactic Team are celebrating after Steve Fosset became the first person to fly an aircraft solo, non-stop around the globe without inflight refueling. He completed his mission on 3rd March landing in Salina, Kansas, where he had taken off two days earlier.
Virgin Atlantic's GlobalFlyer, the world's most efficient long range jet aircraft, was designed by Burt Rutan, who also designed SpaceShipOne. GlobalFlyer is made almost entirely from ultra-light weight composite material, enabling it to fly 75% further than the existing range record for jet-powered aircraft. Will Whitehorn, President, Virgin Galactic and Alex Tai, Head of Operations, followed GlobalFlyer in a chase plane covering over 22,000 miles. For this they used Steve Fossett's own multi world record breaking Citation X. The aircraft was used as support and as a media hub. From it our Galactic team members had the best vantage point to witness this epic attempt unfold, meeting up with Steve daily at heights well above normal jet traffic altitudes.
Will was characteristically enthused by the event, “This trip has been incredible, we had to fly almost non stop to keep pace with Steve across three oceans and as many continents in just over two days. It marks the first orbit of the planet for two of the Virgin Galactic team. We hope that in the not to distant future our Galactic astronauts will follow our route but from space!”
EXPERIENCE OSHKOSH
It’s official! Virgin is bringing SpaceShipOne/White Knight and Global Flyer to EAA AirVenture Oshkosh, the world’s greatest aviation celebration to be held in Wisconsin between 25th and 31st July 2005. These two aircraft promise to be the highlights of the event and will be the only opportunity to see both in one place. You will also be able to view SpaceShipOne in close quarters.
MEET THE VIRGIN GALACTIC TEAM
The Virgin Galactic team will be close by SpaceShipOne to answer any questions and welcome interested parties or potential astronauts. “You’ll be able to sign up, secure your seat and be part of this pioneering and historic venture. We look forward to seeing you there”. said Susan Newsam, Head of Marketing for Virgin Galactic.
I follow those who I will someday lead. - Candy
