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European Launch Site For Virgin Galactic

Posted by kdawson on from the ooh-shiny dept.

syguy writes "Sir Richard Branson's sub-orbital space tourism venture, Virgin Galactic, is considering a second launch site in Europe. Already committed to Spaceport America near Upham, New Mexico, USA, Virgin Galactic has signed a deal with the Swedish company Spaceport to investigate providing sub-orbital flights from Kiruna airport, Sweden. This is one of the northernmost commercial airports in the world. Branson is attracted by the possibility of offering flights through the Aurora Borealis. Flights could begin in 2011 or 2012." From the article: "The company said last year they would be conducting research into the safety of such a flight. Scientists have little information on how the storms that produce the northern lights affect spacecraft. [The] joint NASA-Canadian Space Agency THEMIS project will launch five satellites into space in February to monitor the northern lights..."

7 of 94 comments (clear)

  1. well by macadamia_harold · · Score: 4, Funny

    European Launch Site For Virgin Galactic

    If the galaxy has to lose its virginity somewhere, it might as well be in Europe.

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    Push Button, Receive Bacon
  2. Er... what? by Ant+P. · · Score: 5, Funny

    Flying directly through what's essentially a planet-sized cathode ray tube? Isn't that, you know...

    Ah forget it, let Darwin sort things out.

    1. Re:Er... what? by UncleTogie · · Score: 3, Funny

      One of five things could happen: You could get super stretchy, turn invisible, "flame on!", get rocky, or turn to living metal.

      --
      Don't tell me to get a life. I'm a gamer; I have LOTS of lives!
  3. Thank you for flying Virgin Galactic by brainspank · · Score: 5, Funny

    Chicken, Fish, or LSD sir?

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    It's only a model.
  4. Oh my God! You know what *that* means . . . by StefanJ · · Score: 4, Funny

    " . . . flights THROUGH the Aurora Borealis."

    I hope Branson screens his passengers carefully, because everything I know about Science and Comics says they're going to come back with super powers.

    Is the world ready for Team Virgin and assorted super-villains?

    1. Re:Oh my God! You know what *that* means . . . by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Funny

      Is the world ready for Team Virgin

      They've already been around for years, although they've been going by the less memorable moniker of "Slashdotters".

  5. Re:Worth It by QuickFox · · Score: 2, Funny

    although you do have to go outside. Come on, try to be realistic! This is Slashdot!
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