Virgin Galactic reveals next stage of space programme
Posted by Emma Torry on January 24, 2008 at 11:44 AM

Virgin Galatic has unveiled the second design its space launch system. The new "environmentally benign" sub-orbital vehicles are aptly named SpaceShipTwo and White Knight Two.
Virgin Galactic has announced that "the mothership", or carrier aircraft, White Knight Two, is very close to completion and is expected to begin flight testing this summer. SpaceShipTwo is what paying Virgin Galatic passengers will actually fly in. Both are all carbon composite aircraft.
White Knight Two, the mothership (had to get that in here again), will launch SpaceShipTwo and its eight astronauts into space. Virgin Galactic says that whilst its first priority is facilitating human spaceflight it is also assessing the potential for unmanned launch capability.
Virgin Galatic has a unit of over 200 future astronauts, and around 85,000 individuals have registered interest in flying. The initial flight price is $200,000.
