Virgin territory: ambitious Spaceport America project aims for the stars

摘要

Spaceport America is a bold, assertive title - yet it is fitting for the modern complex approaching completion in a remote, high desert region of New Mexico. Here true commercial space travel is expected to commence in 2013. Until now, spaceflight has been the exclusive province of military pilots and scientists, as well as the occasional very wealthy individual prepared to spend several millions for a brief visit to the International Space Station. By contrast, Sir Richard Branson's Virgin Galactic is processing several hundred applicants, reportedly aged from 18 to 76, who wish to ride in his company's six-passenger rocket ships to the edge of outer space for USD200.000 a head. Flight tests are well underway, with Branson and his family booked on the first public flight.