Virgin Galactic SpaceShipTwo Prepares To Launch As Corporate-Powered Space Race Intensifies
Just over three decades after the Cold War was officially over, a new space race has kicked off with three major corporate houses pouring in a substantial part of their funds and resources to commercialize space flights.
Tesla Motors founder Elon Musk's SpaceX is sure making news with its rapid rocket progress, and Amazon founder Jeff Bezos' Blue Origin space venture may have completed another test flight only a few weeks back, but don't forget about Richard Branson's Virgin Galactic just yet.
Nearly 15 months after the crash of the original Virgin Galactic SpaceShipTwo which led to the unfortunate demise of one of its two occupants, Richard Branson seems to be determined to proceed with his plan to conquer space.
In a tweet sent out last month, Virgin Galactic space enthusiasts across the world got a sneak peek into the design and build of the new SpaceShipTwo.
Even though no details were provided, it's obvious that the new model will flaunt new design cues learned from its ill-fated predecessor.
Rumor has it that additional safety measures in the new SpaceShipTwo will keep it under control by controlling and preventing the tail booms from extending prematurely.
Worth noting, following the recommendations of the US National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), all teams involved in the SpaceShipTwo project had to review their work.
The redesigned and improved Virgin Galactic SpaceShip Two will be officially rolled out on Feb 19 in Mojave, Calif.
It is believed that the new craft will be inaugurated by none other than Stephen Hawking, the uncrowned champion of theoretical physics and cosmology, himself.
According to Virgin Galactic, SpaceShipTwo can carry as many as eight persons, including the pilots.
With that, it is destined to be the largest space flight crew of any space mission since the historic NASA 1985 sts-61 A operation.
