Researchers sign contracts for suborbital spaceflights
Posted: Tue, Mar 1, 2011, 6:22 AM ET (1122 GMT)
A research organization announced Monday that it has purchased tickets from two commercial suborbital vehicle operators to fly its scientists into space to carry out experiments. The Southwest Research Institute (SwRI) said it has purchased 8 seats with Virgin Galactic and XCOR Aerospace, with options that could bring the total number to 17. SwRI has three scientists who will fly on those vehicles, performing biomedical, microgravity, and astronomical imaging experiments. The announcement marks the first time that an organization has purchased seats from commercial suborbital providers for the purposes of science, as opposed to space tourism, and was tied to coincide with a conference on suborbital research in Florida.
A research organization announced Monday that it has purchased tickets from two commercial suborbital vehicle operators to fly its scientists into space to carry out experiments. The Southwest Research Institute (SwRI) said it has purchased 8 seats with Virgin Galactic and XCOR Aerospace, with options that could bring the total number to 17. SwRI has three scientists who will fly on those vehicles, performing biomedical, microgravity, and astronomical imaging experiments. The announcement marks the first time that an organization has purchased seats from commercial suborbital providers for the purposes of science, as opposed to space tourism, and was tied to coincide with a conference on suborbital research in Florida.
Related Links:
| <<previous article | next article>> |
|
news in brief
|
|
|
|
news links
|
|
Thursday, June 25
European Flight Ticket Initiative opens to more launch service providers
ESA — 6:08 am ET (1008 GMT) Backbone of Ramses asteroid mission stands tall
ESA — 6:08 am ET (1008 GMT) U.S. Space Command takes another step in Alabama move; 200 personnel expected by year’s end
Huntsville Times — 6:06 am ET (1006 GMT) Space Command Gen Whiting hosts leadership event, unveils second Redstone facility
WHNT-TV — 6:05 am ET (1005 GMT) Sen. Warren seeks ethics pledge from Raytheon exec nominated to top space acquisition job
Defense One — 6:04 am ET (1004 GMT) |
