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European Launch Site For Virgin Galactic
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..."
European Launch Site For Virgin Galactic
If the galaxy has to lose its virginity somewhere, it might as well be in Europe.
Push Button, Receive Bacon
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.
Chicken, Fish, or LSD sir?
It's only a model.
The whole endevour is not intended for the general public, this is out and out a publicity exercise just as all Branson escapades are. The stunt will generate publicity for the normal carrier airline and in turn, generate revenue.
You moved your mouse. Please restart Windows for changes to take effect.
Then get excited
Do not try to read the dupe, thats impossible. Instead, only try to realize the truth
What truth?
There is no dupe
Branson is attracted by the possibility of offering flights THROUGH the Aurora Borealis.
>>Auroras are now known to be caused by the collision of charged particles (e.g. electrons), found in the magnetosphere, with atoms in the Earth's upper atmosphere (at altitudes above 80 km). These charged particles are typically energized to levels between 1 thousand and 15 thousand electronvolts and, as they collide with atoms of gases in the atmosphere, the atoms become energized.
>>As well as visible light, auroras emit infrared (NIR and IR) and ultraviolet (UV) rays as well as X-rays (e.g. as observed by the Polar spacecraft).
So they are paying 200k+ to get radiated, gj virgin!
Going by past record, =aAnything that virgin announces has to be tempered with a dose of reality. The fact is that Branson is a master in using PR publicity as marketing. In fact he has been often quoted in interviews saying that a headline and a newsworthy article is worth more than ad dollars (and he's right). Virgin Galactic is a good long term indea. It also makes for great news. Right now he has had "agreements" with launch sites. Let's see how much money he puts on the table, let's see some test flights and then we can judge.
" . . . 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?
Closer to the equator minimizes the amount of energy you have to put in to get something into orbit, since the earth's rotational velocity at the equator is maximal, and the distance from the center of gravity is greater (planets bulge at their equators).
But keep in mind, we are not talking about rockets and putting stuff into orbit. These craft are still more aero than space and the aren't being boosted into high orbit. Also, convenience for the target audience (rich people) is at a premium, not fuel.
I've got a bad attitude and karma to burn. Go ahead. Mod me down.
I doubt it was Kiruna's commercial airport that attracted. While little known outside Sweden, and definitely unheard of in USA, Franse, and Russia, Sweden has launched space rockets since 1966 in a station called Esrange. They apparently hope to sky rocket their already impressive launch list.
I wonder why they said in the article "Scientists have little information on how the storms that produce the northern lights affect spacecraft." Scientific research on the Aurora Borealis has been ongoing at the Poker Flat Research Range, located 30 miles north of Fairbanks Alaska, for almost 40 years where they have been routinely launching sounding rockets into the Aurora Borealis to study it's characteristics. http://www.pfrr.alaska.edu/ .
BTM
That was the turning point of my life--I went from negative zero to positive zero.
Like for any technology, early adopters will pay the price. Thanks to the "super-wealthy", more money will flow into research and development to make the technology more affordable.
Yahh, hiii haaaaa! -Major Kong, from Dr. Strangelove
Suppose a small weather system had an airliner fly through one of its clouds. Probably as much of an effect as that.
I've been through Kiruna a few times to go walking. It's a big, sparsely populated mining and forestry town in the Saami (Lapp) area of the north of Sweden. The air connection has to be subsidised by the government, and it's a long flight from Stockholm Arlanda in a very small plane. The air crew come round to ask who would like a taxi called for them at the airport. When you arrive, there's a single small luggage carousel and a large stuffed bear in Arrivals.
Interesting how on the video on the flash version of the website, old Rich describes his company as bringing space travel to people of "all walks of life"... in just how many walks of life can people afford $200,000?? o_O
For whose sake, henceforth, may his vowes be such As what he loves may never like too much.
Terrorists can't threaten a country's freedom and democracy. Only lawmakers and voters can do that.
The people of Kiruna are not only space exploration experts, they are also good at moving houses.
Terrorists can't threaten a country's freedom and democracy. Only lawmakers and voters can do that.
To quote wikipedia...
Furthermore, they believe that over a five-year period only 5,000 passengers would be needed in order to be profitable. Profits from early flights would be reinvested to make space tourism more affordable.