Space for the Masses
by ANN Correspondent Chris Esposito
Who thought a business plan could actually be made to reach for
the stars? Virgin Galactic COO Alex Tai took some time at
AirVenture 2007 to describe what the company plans to accomplish,
both in the near and distant future.
Many are familiar with the accomplishments of Burt Rutan and the
evolution of SpaceShipOne, but little has been heard on the
development of SpaceShipTwo and the future of Virgin Galactic. Alex
Tai described what one can expect from the Virgin Galactic
experience, which will start at a "bargain" $200,000.
He promises after 10 years of development and knowledge gained
from Virgin Galactic operations, the price of a spaceflight is
expected to drop dramatically. While the current spacecraft has a
rocket motor that must be replaced after each flight, the goal is
to eventually move to a safe reusable propulsion system.
"This isn't just about building something for some financial
reason," Tai says. Solar power and communications systems in space
are a priority to Virgin Galactic, and through small steps Virgin
will gain an understanding of space operations and may eventually
offer a full array of commercial services to the cosmos.
With 6.5 billion people on the planet, pollution concerns, and
global warming, Tai emphasizes that "space flight matters." Virgin
Galactic's services are aimed at the mass market, though initially
the cost of a ticket is going to be substantial.
Bringing the price down is a
priority, which is why funds from flights will go directly into the
development of SpaceShipThree and SpaceShipFour.
Initial ships will fly a suborbital parabola, in which four
minutes of weightlessness will be experienced. Essentially, the
White Knight 2 launch aircraft will drop the ship from an altitude
of 50,000 feet, SpaceShipTwo will fire its rocket and cut the
thrust at 180,000 feet, and at four times the speed of sound the
ship will slowly fall back to Earth, allowing for the experience of
weightlessness that is so very desired.
The entire experience will last about two and a half hours. Big
windows, a spacious cabin, and a passenger-friendly interior are
designed to maximize the spaceflight experience.
To prepare the space tourists and protect them from "sensory
overload," Virgin Galactic will implement a training program aimed
at reducing any negative side effects or anxiety one might
experience along the journey. Training will be comprehensive, and
would require tourists to spend 2-3 days with the company.
Introducing the tourists to supersonic flight, the amazing view,
and zero G and high G exposure will be important parts of this
training.
Tai (shown above, at left) wants to make clear that there will
be "the G forces you'd expect without looking like you're getting
strapped into some torture chamber." The typical "Virgin Treatment"
can also be expected, which will include a luxurious launch
facility as well as resort accommodations.
Personal flight plans will be developed for each passenger so
that they can optimize their four minutes soaring through the
heavens. Tourists will be prepped psychologically and
physiologically, and safety training will be an important part of
these preparations. Tai wants to avoid what he calls sensory
overload, which he defines as the point "when your senses are
stretched to the absolute maximum."
One can imagine that the launch, which will be close to four Gs
and will last 90 seconds, could be a bit harsh to the "untrained"
space-traveler. Tai describes re-entry as being "like a
thunderstorm in a car," as air molecules smack into the ship's
surface.
Virgin Galactic has designed a flight suit that will allow for
lots of flexibility and excellent communications capabilities. A
tourist could listen in on cockpit conversation, talk to another
tourist, or choose to listen to their favorite songs. Silence in
space will be paramount, and Tai promised there would not be a
single motor running once in space.
Pictures and video will be taken of tourists so that they can
bring a part of the trip home, and the entire experience will focus
on them, as the only mission is that they have fun.
Spaceport America in New Mexico will be Virgin Galactic's home,
though they expect to be operating in the Mojave until its
completion in 2010.
"We've got the top designers in the world building an
outstanding experience." says Tai. While Spaceport America will be
Virgin Galactic's home in the US, the team is also looking at
locations worldwide, ranging from Sweden to France.
Virgin Galactic also wants to be the first to fly through an
Aurora Borealis at the North Pole. SpaceShipTwo is likely to be
unveiled at the beginning of 2008, and Tai says it may make it to
Oshkosh next year. Test flights are planned for 2008 as well, with
the first commercial flights beginning in 2009 or 2010.
As ANN reported, Virgin
Galactic has worked with Burt Rutan to create the SpaceShip
Company, which will be building five spaceships for Virgin, with an
option for seven more. Tai has chosen three pilots -- in addition
to himself -- for the initial commercial operations, and plans to
use the seasoned crews of Virgin Airlines aircraft as a possible
source of pilots in the future, since the plan is to fly to space
twice a day.
Financially, the future of Virgin Galactic looks bright. With
only one full-time salesperson, Virgin Galactic has already
acquired $25,000,000 in deposits. The space-travel company claims
there are 80,000 registrants on their website, and they have yet to
spend money on advertising.
Cleary, there is some interest in privatized spaceflight... and
as Tai says, "this is a world-wide endeavor."