Virgin Galactic launches world's first commercial spaceport with performance by gravity-defying Project Bandaloop

Virgin Galactic launches world's first commercial spaceport with performance by gravity-defying Project Bandaloop:


[Video Link]

Man, if there's one thing Richard Branson knows better than anyone, it's how to put on an amazing launch event. Above, video from the Virgin Galactic kickoff for the world's first commercial spaceport, Spaceport America (alternate link), today in Las Cruces, New Mexico.

Project Bandaloop did an aerial choreography performance from the side of the structure. Looked kind of like a really classy strip club in the sky. Branson himself joined the fun, and rappelled off the building during the ceremonies. The man knows how to have a good time.

Press release and photos from the event are here. From the sound of this Associated Press item, must have been a blast. (images: Mark Greenberg).



Previously on BB: "Virgin Galactic to unveil world's first commercial spaceport."

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NASA Charters Flights Aboard Virgin's SpaceShipTwo

NASA Charters Flights Aboard Virgin's SpaceShipTwo: Zothecula writes "Although Virgin Galactic is generally known as a space tourism company, it sees research experiments as a future mission segment and significant business opportunity. To this end, the company has signed a contract with NASA to provide up to three charter flights on its SpaceShipTwo suborbital spaceplane. The deal follows the curtain closing on the Space Shuttle program earlier this year and is part of NASA's Flight Opportunities Program, which is charged with providing reduced-gravity environments for research experiments while encouraging the emerging commercial space industry."
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Read more of this story at Slashdot.

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Virgin Galactic opens world's first commercial spaceport

Virgin Galactic opens world's first commercial spaceport:


Richard Branson blogs: "A historic day today in New Mexico as we will be opening the first commercial spaceport in the world - Spaceport America."

More at the Virgin Galactic website.
We'll have photos from the unveiling event on Boing Boing soon.

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