Scaled/Virgin Joint Venture Will Build Private Spacecraft

The Scaled Composites facility in California's Mohave Desert offered a secluded location to experiment and low rent when Burt Rutan moved in years ago. But the ambiance was decidedly more show-biz Monday as Scaled and Virgin Galactic celebrated the completion of a new, $8 million production facility for their joint venture known as The Spaceship Company.

The Associated Press reports that up to 200 people will work in the facility, which will build copies of WhiteKnightTwo and SpaceShipTwo (pictured), the craft which will make suborbital spaceflight available to the masses for the first time. The well-off masses, at least - a ride costs $200,000. Virgin Galactic says 430 people have made deposits, some for the entire amount, despite no firm commitment on when the first passenger flight will be.

Virgin Galactic's Richard Branson told hundreds of reporters and dignitaries at the celebration Monday, "Today marks another important step along the road to opening space for everyone. From this hangar, the talented team at The Spaceship Company will be at the forefront of making space access safe, reliable and affordable."

FMI: www.virgingalactic.com