News
Virgin reaches agreement on space port
28 March 2007
Commercial space travel has moved a step closer to becoming a reality after officials in New Mexico began work on leasing a space port to a commercial operator.
Sir Richard Branson's Virgin Galactic is leading the way in offering trips to space for tourists but concerns were raised that it may not be able to find a launch pad.
However, an agreement has now been reached, with Virgin and New Mexico officials signing a 37-page document which states that the firm will pay the state $27.5m (£14m) over the next 20 years.
This money will ensure that Virgin can use the site to launch its spacecraft which it hopes will be taking to the skies from as early as 2008.
Although the document is a huge step forward for commercial space travel, it is not legally binding but a lease should be signed in the coming months.
Virgin Galactic has set out to become the first airline to take passengers out of the earth's atmosphere and the agreement over the space port could be just the beginning of a new world of travel.
© Adfero Ltd
Sir Richard Branson's Virgin Galactic is leading the way in offering trips to space for tourists but concerns were raised that it may not be able to find a launch pad.
However, an agreement has now been reached, with Virgin and New Mexico officials signing a 37-page document which states that the firm will pay the state $27.5m (£14m) over the next 20 years.
This money will ensure that Virgin can use the site to launch its spacecraft which it hopes will be taking to the skies from as early as 2008.
Although the document is a huge step forward for commercial space travel, it is not legally binding but a lease should be signed in the coming months.
Virgin Galactic has set out to become the first airline to take passengers out of the earth's atmosphere and the agreement over the space port could be just the beginning of a new world of travel.
© Adfero Ltd
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