U.S. Okays Virgin Galactic Plans

Aron writes "Space.com reports that the U.S. Department of State's Directorate of Defense Trade Controls has approved collaboration of technical details between Scaled Composites of Mojave, California and Virgin Galactic of the United Kingdom to build passenger-carrying suborbital spaceliners. The next suborbital ship will be a nine person vessel." From the article: "Details about the new company were unveiled at the Experimental Aircraft Association's (EAA) AirVenture air show held July 25-31 in Oshkosh, Wisconsin. The Spaceship Company will build a fleet of commercial suborbital spaceships and launch aircraft. Scaled Composites is to be under contract for research and development testing, as well as certification of a 9-person SpaceShipTwo (SS2) design, and a White Knight Two (WK2) mothership to be called Eve."

Comments

dibs on the window seat or I call shotgun

[G4from128k]

With a proposed cabin the diameter of a Gulfstream V (about 6ft in height and 7ft in width), I fear they will design this thing for 3-across seating with 3 rows of passengers.

Otherwise, I call shotgun! If they do 5 rows of 2 seats, I want the seat next to the pilot.

Re:Launching

[cmeans]

Slashshot