Virgin Galactic is starting to see results from its massive investment in space tourism at Spaceport America, New Mexico, with ground-breaking ceremonies for the futuristic terminal being built there. The terminal will cover 110,000-plus sq ft when built, and will have an impressive range of green technologies. These include an earth-tube system to reduce air-conditioning costs, and rooftop solar thermal panels for hot water.
The WhiteKnight Two mothership Eve was due to make an overflight for the ceremony, but an actuator alarm at 47,000 ft (14,326 m) meant that the pilots landed for checks at Phoenix-Mesa Gateway airport. By 15 June, Eve had made nine test flights, and reached 52,400 ft (15,980 m), not far short of the height needed for launching SpaceShip Two into suborbital flight.
The Virgin Galactic team is going great guns towards its goal of providing edge-of-space tourism. Best wishes from Starcruzer, and we hope to be up there sometime in the not too distant future, too.
You can visit Spaceport America here.
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