NASA, Virgin Galactic to cooperate in tech development
Posted: Thu, Feb 22, 2007, 8:38 AM ET (1338 GMT)
NASA and space tourism operator Virgin Galactic signed a memorandum of understanding Wednesday that will permit them to cooperate on the development of a range of technologies. NASA's Ames Research Center will work with Virgin on systems such as spacesuits, thermal protection systems, hybrid propulsion systems, and hypersonic vehicles. Contrary to some media reports, the agreement does not include any deal for Virgin to train NASA astronauts, or vice versa, nor does it feature any agreement by NASA to purchase seats on Virgin Galactic's SpaceShipTwo suborbital vehicle. Virgin Galactic, backed by billionaire Richard Branson, plans to begin commercial suborbital flights of SpaceShipTwo by 2009. The company has also expressed an interest in developing future vehicles that could be used for point-to-point high-speed travel on Earth as well as orbital vehicles.
NASA and space tourism operator Virgin Galactic signed a memorandum of understanding Wednesday that will permit them to cooperate on the development of a range of technologies. NASA's Ames Research Center will work with Virgin on systems such as spacesuits, thermal protection systems, hybrid propulsion systems, and hypersonic vehicles. Contrary to some media reports, the agreement does not include any deal for Virgin to train NASA astronauts, or vice versa, nor does it feature any agreement by NASA to purchase seats on Virgin Galactic's SpaceShipTwo suborbital vehicle. Virgin Galactic, backed by billionaire Richard Branson, plans to begin commercial suborbital flights of SpaceShipTwo by 2009. The company has also expressed an interest in developing future vehicles that could be used for point-to-point high-speed travel on Earth as well as orbital vehicles.
Related Links:
| <<previous article | next article>> |
|
news in brief
|
|
|
|
news links
|
|
Saturday, June 13
Strategic Headquarters for Space Development
Prime Minister of Japan — 7:52 am ET (1152 GMT) Out-of-this-world medical tech could boost health care on Earth, researchers say
CBC — 7:51 am ET (1151 GMT) Japan's H3 rocket puts 6 satellites into orbit
NHK — 7:46 am ET (1146 GMT) NASA taps GW alum for Artemis III mission
George Washington Univ. Hatchet — 7:45 am ET (1145 GMT) For the leaf peepers: How NASA’s PACE is improving fall color forecasts
Univ. of Maryland Baltimore County — 7:45 am ET (1145 GMT) |
