Virtuoso Insights - December 2008 - (Page 7)

The finAL fronTier The countdown has officially begun for the first-ever commercial spaceflight with Virgin galactic, scheduled for early 2010. here, we bring you the latest news on space tourism and this pioneering travel trend. “founders” Ace Space training Phrases like “absolutely fantastic” and “very cool” were bandied about. So was, “a wickedly realistic experience.” Two words most often heard: “Loved it, loved it, loved it!” These were just some of the reactions of the first Virgin Galactic spaceflight customers, known as Founders, who recently undertook a two-day space flight training course in preparation for their muchanticipated suborbital voyage aboard SpaceShipTwo. The training took place at the National Aerospace Training and Research (NASTAR) Center, in Southampton, Pennsylvania. The flight simulation, combined with the G-forces created by the STS-400 centrifuge, accurately recreates the sensation of space travel. Participants ranging from age 22 to 83 were tested during the course, and the data received show that more than 90 percent of the population will have no issue with the forces associated with a suborbital flight. “I am glad many of the Founder astronauts got to do this,” said Virgin Group Founder Sir Richard Branson, SpaceShipTwo berthed to its mother ship, WhiteKnightTwo. who took part in the training. “It alleviates a lot of the apprehension people naturally have about whether they can handle a space launch or not. Now . . . the Founders can concentrate on the primary features of a Virgin Galactic space flight, which are the magnificent view of Earth and the weightless experience.” Virgin Galactic targets Climate Change It may be the dominion of black holes, but outer space is going green thanks to Virgin Galactic and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). The two organizations recently announced a potential collaboration in using Virgin Galactic vehicles to study climate change and other research for the federal agency. As a part of its mission to better understand and predict changes in the Earth’s environment, NOAA is considering flying science instruments onboard Virgin Galactic’s spaceship, SpaceShipTwo, as well as its carrier vehicle, WhiteKnightTwo. The first such instrument would provide important data on atmospheric composition, particularly carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases. This joint effort correlates with the Virgin Group’s goal to address the challenge of climate change in all of its operations — which includes the use of an advanced type of fuel for its commercial spaceline that has almost no environmental consequences. Any NOAArelated work conducted aboard Virgin Galactic vehicles will be done on a pro-bono basis. more World of Virtuoso on page 8 P Virtuoso insights Planet Earth from suborbital space. 7

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of Virtuoso Insights - December 2008

Virtuoso Insights - December 2008 Contents The World of Virtuoso The Art of Travel Golden Anniversaries Grand Slam Tennis In the Flow Celluloid Travels Top Destinations for 2009 The Perfect Ending

Virtuoso Insights - December 2008

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