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The following excerpted from a Space.com interview with Burt Rutan;
and from SpaceDaily.com;
Guess there'll be some MURC entries into the 7-UP contest, 'eh? 
Personally I can't wait to see what Rutan comes up with, especially for those "other companies". Wonder if some start with B (oeing), L (ockheed) or A (irbus)
Dr. Mordrid
One gets the feeling that in restricted niches of the Mojave Spaceport here, work is already underway on bigger and better spaceships. Asked directly about that prospect, Rutan is quick with a “no comment†that comes wrapped in a guarded smile.
“You think this is cool?†Rutan asked, pointing to the freshly flown SpaceShipOne. “Wait 'til you see SpaceShipTwo ... it is erotic,†he added, alluding to the smooth lines of a craft that would seem tangible and touchable - not a minds-eye image of vaporware.
“You think this is cool?†Rutan asked, pointing to the freshly flown SpaceShipOne. “Wait 'til you see SpaceShipTwo ... it is erotic,†he added, alluding to the smooth lines of a craft that would seem tangible and touchable - not a minds-eye image of vaporware.
SpaceShipTwo will be a five-person, sub-orbital vessel owned by a new venture called Virgin Galactic, an offshoot of Virgin Atlantic Airways. The inaugural flight is scheduled for 2007. Rutan, as well as Richard Branson, Virgin's eclectic chairman, say they will be aboard.
I think anyone who had the chance to go would want to go, said Trevor Beattie, a British advertising personality, who already has booked a flight.
The passenger list also is expected to include the winner of a consumer promotion by softdrink manufacturer 7 UP, which plans to unveil details of its competition next year. The company made the announcement following the completing of SpaceShipOne's landing Monday.
Ticket prices for the early flights are expected to cost about $190,000, but Rutan and Branson said they expect prices to fall rapidly as other companies stake claims in the space tourism business. Branson said Rutan will build five vessels over the next three years.
Tourists will fly even higher than SpaceShipOne's record-breaking altitude of 69 miles and experience about seven minutes of weightlessness.
Every one of those passengers will have a much, much bigger window, a spectacular view, Branson said. It'll be the most beautiful thing ever created by man. It's an adventure where we hope to make money because I don't think space has a future unless people make money.
Branson added that profits from Virgin Galactic will be re-invested in space tourism development.
Virgin's agreement with Rutan and Allen is not exclusive, however. Mojave Aerospace Ventures, the partnership created to develop SpaceShipOne and related projects, is considering offers from four or five other companies as well, Rutan said.
I think anyone who had the chance to go would want to go, said Trevor Beattie, a British advertising personality, who already has booked a flight.
The passenger list also is expected to include the winner of a consumer promotion by softdrink manufacturer 7 UP, which plans to unveil details of its competition next year. The company made the announcement following the completing of SpaceShipOne's landing Monday.
Ticket prices for the early flights are expected to cost about $190,000, but Rutan and Branson said they expect prices to fall rapidly as other companies stake claims in the space tourism business. Branson said Rutan will build five vessels over the next three years.
Tourists will fly even higher than SpaceShipOne's record-breaking altitude of 69 miles and experience about seven minutes of weightlessness.
Every one of those passengers will have a much, much bigger window, a spectacular view, Branson said. It'll be the most beautiful thing ever created by man. It's an adventure where we hope to make money because I don't think space has a future unless people make money.
Branson added that profits from Virgin Galactic will be re-invested in space tourism development.
Virgin's agreement with Rutan and Allen is not exclusive, however. Mojave Aerospace Ventures, the partnership created to develop SpaceShipOne and related projects, is considering offers from four or five other companies as well, Rutan said.
Personally I can't wait to see what Rutan comes up with, especially for those "other companies". Wonder if some start with B (oeing), L (ockheed) or A (irbus)
Dr. Mordrid
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