[FPSPACE] Virgin Galactic - Beyond Space Tourism

[Matula, Thomas L.]

Hi All,

The Falcon I launch today was encouraging, especially as a client needs their system being successful to close their business plan. 

The other good news story is this one on Virgin Galacitc. Looks like Richard Branson is looking beyond Space Tourism for Virigin Galactic success.


http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2007/03/070320-virgin-space.html
Virgin Galactic, NASA Team Up to Develop Space-Plane Travel
John Roach
for National Geographic News
March 20, 2007

Two paragraphs of note.

First paying NASA to do the necessary research, something very refreshing compared to the constant cries of space advocates to fund their pet New SPace/Alt.space start-up.  

[[["We can't do it ourselves, so we've gone to the experts in the world, which are NASA," Tai said.

"We are interested in possibly paying for it. NASA is interested in researching it," he added.]]]

And acknowledging that Space Tourism is not the killer app many space advocates feel it is


[[[Virgin Galactic's spaceflights will also give passengers "an appreciation for the fragility of the Earth and a fantastic view," Tai noted.

"But the long-term goal—going from A to B—is probably where the larger market is," he added.]]]

Good signs of the New space/alt.space moving beyond the hobby stage.