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Virgin Galactic Eyes Suborbital Science Business
March 2nd, 2008
Author Leonard David
While the White Knight Two/SpaceShipTwo suborbital spaceliner system has yet to fly…the technological twosome appears to have more of a mission than propelling space travelers on sky-high treks.
NASA issued on February 28 two Request for Information solicitations for human suborbital spaceflight services.
The space agency’s Science Mission Directorate (SMD) is pulling together a new program to fly government-sponsored payloads and researchers on commercial suborbital systems.
NASA’s SMD is keen on using commercial suborbital systems to carry out flight experiments that address such science pursuits as astrophysics, earth science, heliophysics and planetary science.
It is NASA’s current intent to evaluate a formal solicitation for suborbital spaceflight services in early 2009, which would lead to a pilot program of suborbital flight operations in 2010-2011.
One private enterprise hungry to cater to the NASA solicitation is Virgin Galactic, making use of the high-altitude White Knight Two carrier/drop plane and the SpaceShipTwo suborbital spaceliner.
“These are really exciting potential contracts and we at Virgin Galactic will certainly be in a position to respond by the deadline set of 28th March for expressions of interest and, if selected, it would also be our intention to bid,†Will Whitehorn, President of Virgin Galactic, told me in a February 29th email.
“We are nearing completion of the White Knight Two and SpaceShipTwo space launch systems to commence flight testing later this year. We have designed both with suitability for numerous science and payload applications beyond human space tourism…so we feel confident of putting together a strong proposal,†Whitehorn said.
March 2nd, 2008
Author Leonard David
While the White Knight Two/SpaceShipTwo suborbital spaceliner system has yet to fly…the technological twosome appears to have more of a mission than propelling space travelers on sky-high treks.
NASA issued on February 28 two Request for Information solicitations for human suborbital spaceflight services.
The space agency’s Science Mission Directorate (SMD) is pulling together a new program to fly government-sponsored payloads and researchers on commercial suborbital systems.
NASA’s SMD is keen on using commercial suborbital systems to carry out flight experiments that address such science pursuits as astrophysics, earth science, heliophysics and planetary science.
It is NASA’s current intent to evaluate a formal solicitation for suborbital spaceflight services in early 2009, which would lead to a pilot program of suborbital flight operations in 2010-2011.
One private enterprise hungry to cater to the NASA solicitation is Virgin Galactic, making use of the high-altitude White Knight Two carrier/drop plane and the SpaceShipTwo suborbital spaceliner.
“These are really exciting potential contracts and we at Virgin Galactic will certainly be in a position to respond by the deadline set of 28th March for expressions of interest and, if selected, it would also be our intention to bid,†Will Whitehorn, President of Virgin Galactic, told me in a February 29th email.
“We are nearing completion of the White Knight Two and SpaceShipTwo space launch systems to commence flight testing later this year. We have designed both with suitability for numerous science and payload applications beyond human space tourism…so we feel confident of putting together a strong proposal,†Whitehorn said.
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