Stars Reach for the Stars

Ashton Kutcher became the 500^th person to place a deposit with Virgin Galactic to take a visit into space.  According to Richard Branson, Kutcher is “thrilled.”  Kutcher is part of the growing list of celebrities that are getting in line to blast off with Virgin Galactic.  According to reports by RedOrbit.com, Tom Hanks, Brad Pitt, Angelina Jolie, and Katy Perry will be exploring space as well.

The flight will give astronaut tourists to an altitude of 68 miles into the atmosphere, where passengers will experience zero gravity for a few minutes.  Tickets are $200,000, requiring a $20,000 deposit.  Flights are expected to take off in 2013 or 2014. 

Source:

http://www.washingtonpost.com/national/kutcher-puts-down-deposit-for-virgin-galactic-space-ride-becomes-ventures-500th-customer/2012/03/19/gIQAJiM6NS_story.html

http://www.redorbit.com/news/space/1112498659/ashton-kutcher-buys-500th-virgin-galactic-ticket/

Interested in teaching your students more about space science? Check out SSR's Vol 41 DVD, episode Space Science – Everyday Astronauts.  If your school would like to receive this free resource, visit http://www.ssrvideo.com/nhcmsp.html.   

Interested in speaking to students about space science? E-mail Fallon@ssrvideo.com

Virgin Galactic Test Flight

Virgin Galactic aims to conduct its first test flight by the end of 2012.  The first commercial suborbital passenger flight is proposed to take place in 2013 or 2014. 

Almost 500 customers have purchased tickets to ride into space on the six-passenger spaceship, SpaceShipTwo.  Tickets cost $200,000.  The spaceship reaches an altitude around 68 miles into our atmosphere.  Passengers will experience a few minutes of zero gravity, and will be able to see Earth against the blackness of space. 

Source:

http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/02/28/space-business-idUSL2E8DS0M920120228

Interested in teaching your students more about space science? Check out SSR's Vol 41 DVD, episode Space Science – Everyday Astronauts.  If your school would like to receive this free resource, visit http://www.ssrvideo.com/nhcmsp.html.   

Interested in speaking to students about space science? E-mail Fallon@ssrvideo.com

Virgin Galactic: LEED-ing the Way into Space

800 guests were in attendant to Virgin Galactic’s recent dedication ceremony at its new home at Spaceport America, in Southern New Mexico.  During the ceremony, Virgin Galactic’s WhiteKnightTwo and SpaceShipTwo took to the skies, impressing spectators. 

There was also a dedication of the LEED certified, Gold standard, 120,000sqft hangar and terminal where the two vehicles will be housed.  Designed by Sir Norman Foster, the facility is constructed of local materials and built using regional construction techniques.  The building is equipped with geothermal heating and cooling. 

Interested in teaching your students more about Space Science? Check out SSR's Vol 41 DVD, episode Space Science – Everyday Astronauts.  If your school would like to receive this free resource, visit http://www.ssrvideo.com/nhcmsp.html.   

Interested in speaking to students about Space Science? E-mail Fallon@ssrvideo.com

Source:

http://www.virgingalactic.com/news/item/sir-richard-branson-and-new-mexico-governor-susana-martinez-dedicate-the-virgin-galactic-gateway-/

NASA Comes Calling for Virgin Galactic

The US space program is far from gone, after the retiring of the shuttle program.  Sir Richard Branson’s Virgin Galactic and Aabar Investments PJS have been selected by NASA to provide sub-orbital flight opportunities for NASA engineers.  By using Virgin Galactic, NASA will soon be able to provide researchers access to space.

Virgin Galactic’s SpaceShipTwo is the only suborbital vehicle conducting test flights today that is capable of carrying a crew.  Additionally, SpaceShipTwo has a large sized cabin that is able to meet the needs of researchers.  Formerly thought to be a space tourism company, NASA’s interest in Virgin Galactic is shining a new light on Branson’s project.

Source:

http://www.virgingalactic.com/news/item/nasa-selects-virgin-galactic-for-suborbital-flights/