Posted by Ray Katz in current, private
Ups and downs of Virgin Galactic
The claim is that Virgin Galactic will start flying space tourists in 18 months or so. This is good news for the 340+ customers who put up $45 million in deposits for rides that will cost $200,000 each. (Possibly among them: Spandau Ballet!)
But the company has problems, too. Its planned satellite launch business now appears to be…stumbling. The head of the satellite launch program, Adam Baker, was charged with (among other things) conducting a feasibility study for the program. But Dr. Baker has left the company and perhaps the satellite program has left with him.
Launching satellites? “It’s an area we continue to think about.” according to Virgin’s CEO, George Whitesides. Maybe the program—to launch satellites using the company’s plane WhiteKnightTwo, proved to be unfeasible.
