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Tourists could be launched into space in just 18 months as Branson unveils mothership
Last updated at 02:27am on 30.07.08
The mothership which will launch the first space tourists into the atmosphere was unveiled by Sir Richard Branson in California today.
WhiteKnightTwo (WK2), the carrier aircraft which will be used to launch SpaceShipTwo into orbit, 'will allow thousands of people to realise their dreams' and 'act as a catalyst to transform human access to space', Sir Richard said.
Speaking at the launch ceremony in the spaceship's hangar at the Mojave Air and Spaceport in California, the British billionaire, who will be among the first space tourists with his family, said the venture would help the world 'wake up' to the fragility of the planet and the importance of protecting Earth.
Space is 'the final frontier that is so essential to the future of civilisation on this planet', Sir Richard said.
Mothership: Richard Branson celebrates with his mother, Eve, who the craft has been named after.
'The first generation of space tourists, many of whom are with us today, will be paving the way as they marvel at the beauty of our planet and experience the freedom of weightlessness and the blackness of space,' he said.
'The rollout of WhiteKnightTwo takes the Virgin Galactic vision to the next level and continues to provide tangible evidence that this most ambitious of projects is not only for real but is making tremendous progress towards our goal of safe commercial operation.'
Sir Richard said that the first tourists could be launched into space in around 18 months' time, but there is no official launch date yet - SpaceShipTwo needs to be completed before a series of test flights and safety tests are carried out.
More than 250 customers have paid 200,000 dollars (£100,000), or put down a deposit, for the chance to be one of Virgin Galactic's first space tourists.
The 140ft WK2, which was renamed Eve in honour of Sir Richard's mother who performed the opening ceremony attended by astronaut Buzz Aldrin, is the largest all-carbon composite aircraft and is capable of reaching 50,000ft.
'If our new system could carry only people into space, that would be enough for me, because of the transforming effect it will have on the thousands who will travel with us,' Sir Richard said.
'It is quite clear from every astronaut that I've ever spoken to that seeing the planet from out there, surrounded by the incredibly thin protective layer of atmosphere, helps one to wake up to the fragility of the small portion of the planet's mass that we inhabit, and to the importance of protecting the Earth.'
But he said the spaceships would also be able to launch small payloads and satellites into orbit at a relatively low cost.
'This system offers tremendous potential to researchers who will be able to fly experiments much more often than before, helping to answer key questions about Earth's climate and the mysteries of the universe,' he said.
Reader views (30)
I love the fact that this pushes the technology. To think that I may one day be able to fullfill my childhood dream of being an astronaut is simply too cool to describe.
However, Mr. Branson's assertion that this will help us "look back on the planet" and see how much we're harming it is yet more hysterical and hypocritical ranting from the "Do as I say, not as I do" crowd.
I don't care what it's made of or what fuel it uses. If we're supposed to cut back, then we cut back. As mentioned already, when these clowns stop building immense mansions, flying on private jets, driving in SUV caravans, and running airline companies, they will have the moral foundation with which to ask me to turn down my thermostat.
As for the fact that the fuel is liquid oxygen and liquid hydrogen, yes, they are abundant, but they require a lot of energy to be refrigerated down to liquid form and transported to the launch site. Afterwards, when they burn they leave behind water vapour, which is a far more potent "greenhouse gas" than carbon dioxide will ever be. If they're worried about saving the planet, how does launching the rich and famous into orbit help that, unless they expect to load up the entire Left and leave them up there permanently after launch?
Oh, and if someone could point me toward the ticket counter, I'd love to purchase a ticket for my ex-wife, too!
- Luis, New York
His money his airship...At 200k a pop for a seat if I had the cash to build one of these I would. I think its a waste of money for the passengers, though. 200,000 dollars to get 5 or so minutes of "space" flight? For that kind of cash they had better be dropping me off for a weeks vacation at a Moon resort.
- Davis, Atlanta, GA, USA
If Sir Richard wants to spend some of HIS resources (money) to fly into space good for him! Neil, I don't think he wants or needs your approval...and yes there is a lot your missing!
- Thomas Lawrence, Indianapolis,U.S.A.
The worlds resources aren't dwindling. If someone is willing to pay for a ticket more power to them. It's called capitalism. They spend their "idle rich" money and it creates jobs and opportunities for those who aren't rich to make a living and provide for their families. Neil, you sound anti-capitalist and socialist with your anti-rich talk.
- Renny, US
I agree with Neil. Wasn't Branson in the headlines a few months back talking about how he's reducing his airlines' carbon footprint? Hoisting/Hosting "rich fatties" to 50,000 feet doesn't seem to be the way towards that goal. Oh, yes, planting some hibiscus will offset that.
- Jeffrey, Waukegan, IL USA
Bingo...Neil! Lecture us on how fragile the planet is, Mr. Branson, while you make a profit burning fossil fuels when it suits your purpose. The hypocrisy of these phonies is never ending.
- J Fitzgerald, Cincinnati, Oh
I sympathise with Johanna and I could not agree more with Neil, and my town is near to where this space port is supposed to be.
- Ed, Las Cruces, USA
Neil - it's a great use of the world's dwindling (lol) resources. As Sir Richard says, it will teach people to become even more militant environmentalists, support even greater restrictions on individual freedom, throw hundreds of millions of people out of work, etc. It will finally lead us to that utopian world Mr. Orwell envisioned - a boot stamping on a human face...forever.
- John Fairplay, Beaverton, USA
Neil,
These aircraft will use less fuel than the standard because they will experience much less wind resistance at such high altitudes. Unless you expect people to stop flying all together I think this is a step forward.
- Tom, Morro Bay USA
Going up to see the Earth would be beautiful, but to say taking a look to understand the Earth in order to help is an oxymoron considering the toxins they use will hurt more than help. What is the greater plan is the question, what are they hiding?
- Anon, canada
Neil - yes, you have.
The point isn't that some rich folks have some fun - although they do produce a lot of jobs for people in the process.
The point is the rich folks are now funding research into reusable spacecraft.... and if there's enough R&D , then we'll be able to get resources from Near Earth Orbit objects rather than using Earth's resource. We can move industry off-planet in that case, and in the long run make some real strides toward improving the environment here.
- Jeff, Gainesvile, FL, USA
Yeah! You have missed something. You still think you can save the world. This guy is persueing his dream no matter what you think. Gotta love that.
- J.C., Fredericksburg US
Neil from London. You exhale CO2. Please stop.
- Chuckie, Dallas, TX
Gathering more resources from the solar system is a great use of the resources on this planet. Getting the rich to pay for the development of this technology is brilliant. Sir Richard Branson is a visionary and is doing more to save this planet than anyone else on it.
- Jared, Utah, USA
Yes, you are missing something Neil. Several things. First of all: Freedom. We can set our own priorities. Sir Richard is not using "the World's" resources. He is using his own resources. His customers will pay their fares with the money they have earned by being very good at satisfying the needs of others. They have worked very hard their whole lives and have been quite productive to societies benefit. These people are not the "idle rich." They are the most productive people on the planet. Second, this endeavor has created thousand of high paying jobs for skilled labor. All without using our taxes for some silly jobs program.
- John, Nashville, USA
Just what the world needs. A massive waste of fossil fuels. I wonder if the rich will also buy those phoney "carbon credits" to offset the waste of jetfuel.
- Peter, Tampa, FL USA
Well Neil, I think you are missing something. Perhaps you should read the article next time before you post a comment. As stated above "The 140ft WK2...is the largest all-carbon composite aircraft and is capable of reaching 50,000ft."Neil, did you know what carbon composite does to an airplane's fuel efficiency? Did you know that this aircraft is made of the most eco friendly engines in the world?
I guess you are missing everything...
I applaud Richard Branson's work and appreciate his desire towards progressing the ideas we thought to be impossible.
- Connor, Boston, MA, USA
Neil: You've said it (or asked it) correctly. It's amazing the hypocrisy that can come from the Sir Virgin’s mouth. Use all these resources that supposedly cause global warming to shoot up into the atmosphere so one can look back at this massive earth as if it's some little fragile ball. Rubbish! Where's Sir Al (Idiot) Gore when we need him?
Oh, BTW, good idea Johanna. I can think of some ex wives that I'd love to ship up and keep there!
- Bob, Firestone, CO USA
@ Neil:
The type of fuel used in space shuttles is liquid oxygen combined with liquid hydrogen, which is neither a scarce resource or very harmful to the environment. The carrier jet looks relatively small and doesn't look to be using any more fuel that the other tens of thousands of jets that fly all over the world every day. And at $200,000, I think they've paid for their use of the fuel.
- Dan, US
Spare me the Global Warming propaganda. If the rich want to go to space, let them. Richard and his friend are single handedly creating a new industry, which in turn created jobs and feeds more families. God luck Richard, God speed
- Joe, Phoenix, AZ
Is this effort extravagant? Yes. Does it only seem to gratify the idle rich, most definitely, but most amenities that fill our lives today did have that humble beginning. From the automobile, to electricity, from television to the personal computer. All began their lives as toys for the rich.
Lets not forget, its not why the first attempts are made that determine the success of an idea, its the final attempt.
If you don't believe me, I suggest you trace the route from Einstiens imaginative and wonderful theory of Relativity to the horrors and tragedy of Hiroshima.
- Adil, karachi, Pakistan
Neil, I like your point, but I believe space exploration is a necessary part of our evolution as a species. Getting ordinary people used to the idea of being in space is another small step toward humanity spreading out beyond earth. In that sense, it's more than just a frivolous endeavour.
- J Tallent, Brooklyn, NY USA
The day we hear that Al Gore and the rest of the envirocrazies have given up their private jets and are flying on scheduled airliners we will know they are serious. Until then, it's all just rubbish, and this is one more contribution to the pile. A great technical achievement? Probably, but don't equate it with helping the environment. It's all about ego and money, in that order.
- Bob, Anaheim, California USA
Neil....why do we have to reduce our consumption? Because Al Gore says so? The self described "man with a slide show" has done a masterful job of creating panic on a worldwide scale and while reducing consumption will certainly do no harm, it will change nothing and made no difference in your life or the lives of others. While there is no doubt that a mass conversion to alternate forms of energy can be beneficial, there is no data to suggest that we all must go into panic mode and dramatically alter our lives. The notion that we have 10 years left, as proclaimed by Mr Gore, is sheer folly and there is absolutely no empirical evidence to suggest such a thing. Live your life as you normally would and if those "rich fatties" want to fling themselves into space, then more power to them but don't waste your mental energy on such vitriol and don't waste it worrying about the planet. The earth will be just fine
- Wes, Ft Worth, TX, USA
I think it's awesome!! I would love an opportunity to travel into space.
- Jim, Seattle, WA USA
Is it really necessary to wrap humanity's achievements in the language of this ridiculous new religion? The sun will heat up a billion years from now and boil the seas, that's known now. If "the planet" has any point, it might as well be us. If the hippies get their way, the only evidence life on Earth ever existed will be the Voyager probes and now the Pluto Express. They'll be out there somewhere a billion years from now. You can't say that for terrestrial life. At least space gives us a way to strike out from here. There won't be any granola left to munch when the Earth spirals into the core of the Sun some day.
- Gerard, Washington, MI
Put that money and energy into renewable energy instead of your ego which is catering to the ego of the "privileged."
Seeing this reminds me of the Titanic in the sense that oil has peaked and here are the people professing to save the planet - creating something to burn even more oil.
Full speed ahead.
- Sherman, Afton Va
Neil, there is something more important than the earth: our species. In the long run, the earth is doomed. Our nature dooms it, no matter how good our sporadic stewardship is. Our species will be saved by space travel. Those pioneering space travel are owed some lenience.
- Z, austin tx usa
Please send my ex boyfriend and leave him there.
- Johanna, Dubai
If people are being criminalised for putting a baked bean tin in the wrong bin, how can it be okay to pump thousands of litres of aviation fuel into the air just to gratify the idle rich's need for sensation? Either we have to reduce our consumption, or we do not. Flinging a few rich fatties into the air for five minutes is not a priority use of the world's dwindling resources - or have I missed something here?
- Neil, london uk, Airstrip ONE .
