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11.12.09
Hurricane Provides Dramatic End to Virgin Galactic's SpaceShipTwo Event
Hurricane
At the start of a dramatic week of weather right across the US, hurricane force winds hit Mojave Air and Spaceport CA on the evening of Monday 7th December, tearing apart a specially created site which had been used throughout the day to house guests attending the first roll out of Virgin Galactic’s new spaceship…
Along with Sir Richard Branson and spaceship designer Burt Rutan, over 800 press, future astronauts and VIP guests including Governors Bill Richardson and Arnold Schwarzenegger, Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie and Victoria Principal had gathered in the desert to witness the roll out of the world’s first commercial manned spaceship. Standing at the end of the runway, guests braved gale force winds and stormy weather, to see SpaceShipTwo for the first time. The spaceship was carried down the runway as snow fell, by her mothership, VMS Eve, to a spectacular display of lights and music.
With the spaceship officially named VSS Enterprise by Governors Schwarzenegger and Richardson, the celebrations began. Minutes later guests were stunned to hear that a mass evacuation had been called by local officials who had become aware of the approaching storm. Sir Richard Branson said: “It was absolutely incredible, the roll out of the spaceship had been fantastic and everybody was filled with terrific energy. We were all in the tents when the evacuation was called. 20 minutes after the last of the 800 guests had been coached away, the main 200ft tent literally took off”. Gusts were reported of up to 116MPH, and local residents commented that the Mojave area had not experienced such a combination of high winds, rain and freezing temperatures for over two decades. Both spaceship and mothership were unscathed thanks to the rapid action of the crew as were all guests thanks to an efficient evacuation to waiting buses.
Sir Richard Branson added: “We were fully expecting to be blown away by our beautiful new spaceship but got a little more than we bargained for!”
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25 Responses to "Hurricane Provides Dramatic End to Virgin Galactic's SpaceShipTwo Event"
Vikas Dharra, "INDIA"!! on 26.03.10 (08:10)
Monopolies are certainly not good Sir Richard Branson. Thanks a ton for marking the presence of human civilisation into the space in an entirely new way. Sir this planet and we the people of it, needs you. May you recide with us for next 50 years to come. And who knows, virgin galactic might have found a planet which can be a perfect substitute of earth. I I wish you good luck sir. May you come out smelling like a rose. as u have always been in the past. U are a one man "ARMY". Hats off to you.
Alan Marsden on 26.03.10 (01:19)
Congratulations to All for a successful maiden test flight. What a great way to expand upon the Space Ship One project and winning the First X-Prize. The X-Prize competition hats are Greatly appreciated and you are all in my thoughts and prayers. GO !!!!!!
Brooke on 24.03.10 (22:47)
Dayum man I wanted to go!
Charles Yuditsky on 25.01.10 (03:31)
Ouchy! There has never been an effort like this without setbacks. The Galactic team (ohh, sounds catchy) will move forward and drive on.
Doug Squires on 23.01.10 (20:19)
Wasn't sure physically shaking trying to hold my camera still at the Roll Out, was pure excitement or wind chill.Probably a bit of each. Whatever, I was privilaged to witness a fantastic, historic and most memorable ocasion. Brilliant to meet both Burt Rutan and Sir Richard. Guys like these, are truly hard to come by. Whilst only visiting Mojave as a guest, congratulations to the whole team of very special, talented and enterprising people. The future's looking very bright! Doug