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08.12.09
SpaceShipTwo Roll Out
Fighting against the stormy Mojave weather SpaceShipTwo was rolled out today to a spectacular display at Mojave Spaceport
On Monday 7th December Virgin Galactic unveiled SpaceShipTwo to the world at Mojave Spaceport, California. 800 press, future astronauts and VIP guests gathered in the desert for a press conference and to view the roll out of the world’s first commercial spaceline.
Sir Richard Branson and Burt Rutan led the press conference, special recognition went to the team at Scaled Composites whose hard work and dedication have made this happen. Governors Bill Richardson and Arnold Schwarzenegger both contributed at the press conference, celebrating this huge milestone and also joining Holly, Richard’s daughter in naming the spaceship, VSS Enterprise.
Despite gale force winds and stormy weather, guests gathered on the runway after the press conference to see SpaceShipTwo for the first time. The spaceship was carried down the runway by her mothership, VMS Eve, to a spectacular display of lights, music and snow which only helped increase the anticipation of her arrival and excitement and awe as she appeared before the crowds.
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237 Responses to "SpaceShipTwo Roll Out"
Alex Fiedler on 28.01.10 (10:23)
Congratulations Burt Rutan, a true towering giant of aerospace. Thank you also to Richard Branson for demonstrating that not all blond people are stupid. But Arnie: "The coolest thing I have ever done"!? What have you done exactly Arnie, except for show up?! Anyway not wishing to be ungracious since history is being written here but the Rutan shuttlecock design will be with us for ever, whereas the Virgin brand may outlive its creator for 50 years if we're lucky! Just wanted to put that in perspective.
Leon on 27.01.10 (20:09)
I love this project its the best eva i like the SpaceCraft i would rly like to see it :)) hope u get bak to me hav fun Sir richard branson and all the others
Lindsey on 27.01.10 (16:06)
I think this would be a great experience for everyone, however the price is substancial amount for everyday people in the world. Would it not be more benefitlly to richard as putting it cheaper for my flights and more people for more money, rather then a big amount with now and then flights??
Robert Wetton on 25.01.10 (19:27)
Redefining Existence. ...and then, when humankind feared that exploration was dead, that Earth had been mapped, chartered and covered to the last inch, that the Earth was becoming smaller and smaller, that life would be mundane- humankind went to space. Space has always been something mysterious, something expansive, something exhilarating and yet at the same time something distant and out of reach. The thought of looking down and marveling at the Earth fills one with excitement. The thought of weightlessness is something unimaginable. The thought of experiencing science at its epitome and realizing what others only dreamed of-an honour. But of all the wonder, innovation, excitement and theories of space, what is most incredible is that space redefines our existence. The human has identified with Earth for millennia. Now it is time to test our identity, to expand our horizons, which are soon to become horizon-less. To plunge into the unknown. Now is the time to discover the treasures of the universe.
Toby on 24.01.10 (14:43)
Well done Richard Branson? This wouldn't happen without the talent of Burt Rutan and Scaled Composites. Anyone could have come along and put the money in and hired a PR company. Nice one Burt.