If you cannot view this email, please view our web version Issue 11 September 2008 Thank you for registering an interest in www.virgingalactic.com and welcome to the 11th Virgin Galactic Communicae which is one of our most exciting Newsletters to date. To mark the programme milestone which saw the historic roll out of WhiteKnightTwo (WK2), VG is delighted to bring you updates and stunning shots from this unique event. PRE TEST FLIGHT ROLL OUT OF WHITEKNIGHTTWO As dawn broke over the Mojave Desert on the morning of July 28th, WK2 waited in hanger 62 at Scaled Composites, ready to be rolled out to the world's press and Virgin Galactic's customers. This anticipated event drew several hundred press and broadcast media, Virgin Galactic customers and VIP guests from all around the world to Los Angeles, all eager to witness this historic event. The pre-test flight Roll Out of WK2 marked a milestone in aerospace history and a very tangible evidence on the progress of the world's first sub orbital commercial spaceline. WK2 is the world's largest, all carbon composite aircraft with a unique high altitude lift capacity, capable of launching SpaceShipTwo and its eight astronauts into sub-orbital space flight. It was important for Virgin Galactic and Scaled Composites to celebrate this historic event not just with the world's press but also with our valued customers; it also provided a timely opportunity to congratulate the engineers whose skill and dedication produced such an amazing vehicle. Read more EAA AIRVENTURE 2008, OSHKOSH 28TH JULY – 3RD AUGUST Sir Richard Branson, Will Whitehorn and Burt Rutan flew into EAA 2008 EAA AirVenture on Tuesday 29th July in time for a presentation with unique footage from the WhiteKnightTwo Roll Out. Will and Burt made a presentation later in the day at Theater in the Woods, in front of 3,500 aviation enthusiasts. EAA AirVenture is the annual convention of the Experimental Aircraft Association which is dedicated to keeping aviation fun, accessible, and safe. During the last week of July every year, the family of EAA members holds its annual gathering and invites the aviation world to participate. Virgin Galactic has been supporting their programme since 2005.   OTHER GALACTIC NEWS ...... VIRGIN GALACTIC FUTURE ASTRONAUTS VISIT THE NORTH OF SWEDEN Virgin Galactic worked closely with the Swedish Space Corporation and the IceHotel to put together an exiting programme for our future astronauts toward the end of March. On landing in Kiruna in the north of Sweden on a specially chartered plane from London, our future astronauts were taken by husky dog drawn sleds to the IceHotel via the Wilderness Centre. Read more VIRGIN GALACTIC EXHIBIT AT TERMINAL 5 In March, Virgin Galactic exhibited with Best of the Best at London's Heathrow Airport. The large model of SS2/WK2 was exhibited at Terminal 5, Heathrow's newest terminal, where travelers had a chance to purchase a ticket and win the opportunity of flying on SS2. NEW MEXICO PRESS LAUNCH, TUESDAY 15TH APRIL 2008 New Mexico Spaceport Director, Steve Landeene, worked closely with Virgin Galactic in setting up a Press Conference in Sierra County on April 15th with Will Whitehorn (VG President) and Carolyn Wincer (Head of Astronaut Sales). Steve Landeene was keen to set out the vision for Spaceport America: "There have been a lot of misperceptions about what it is we are trying to do," he said. "While legislation has targeted Otero, Sierra and Doña Ana counties, this is actually something that will have a positive impact for all of southern New Mexico." The Press Conference focused on the investment being made and reinforced how Sierra County, Spaceport America and Virgin are engaged in a historic first commercial space venture which has the potential to bring enormous and widespread benefits to the region. Carolyn Wincer also toured a selection of schools in the region making some dynamic presentations to the children and exciting them with the prospects that Science and Technology will bring to them with the dawning of the new commercial space age. VIRGIN GALACTIC LAUNCH NATIONAL SCHOOLS COMPETITION IN THE UK At the end of April, Virgin Galactic, The Royal Aeronautical Society and The Royal Air Force launched 'MISSION VIRGIN GALACTIC' a truly innovative National Schools Competition. Mission Virgin Galactic will be open to all 11 – 14 year old students (Key Stage 3) across the UK and has been designed with the backing of education experts to fit within and complement the National Curriculum. The aim of the competition is to inspire pupils in the areas of Science, Maths, Technology and Engineering in a fun and exciting way. Working in teams of four to six pupils, the challenge is to design a marketable product that demonstrates one or more of the Science, Technology or Engineering principles used in the Virgin Galactic space tourism programme. Read more VIRGIN GALACTIC EXHIBIT AT JACK BARCLAY SHOWROOM On the evening of 15th May, over 300 guests attended a drinks reception held at the world famous Jack Barclay London Bentley dealership where they had the unique opportunity to sign up to make history and become some of the world's first non-professional astronauts. Virgin Galactic chose Jack Barclay as its venue as it provided the ideal location and facilities in which to showcase the model of SS2/WK2. Virgin Galactic's Head of Marketing Production, Susan Newsam, said, "The showroom in Berkeley Square is a landmark location perfect for displaying the range of beautiful Bentleys and therefore provided the ideal setting for the public display of SpaceShipTwo and WhiteKnightTwo for the first time." Read more 59TH INTERNATIONAL ASTRONAUTICAL CONGRESS GLASGOW, SCOTLAND Between the 29th September and 3rd October, Virgin Galactic is planning to participate in the International Astronomical Congress which is being held in Glasgow in the world class Scottish Exhibition and Conference Centre situated on the banks of the River Clyde. This annual event is the world's premier commercial and government space conference. Will Whitehorn is scheduled to give a Highlight lecture with Sir Martin Sweeting on Tuesday 30th September on low cost access to space. Virgin Galactic is also participating in the Host Nation Stand and will exhibit the model of SS2/WK2 along with recent images and footage of the WhiteKnightTwo roll out. ACCREDITED SPACE AGENT UPDATE Virgin Galactic has now appointed, trained and accredited 105 Accredited Space Agents in 34 countries. Latest on the list include representatives from South America. Full details of all our Accredited Space Agents and how to contact them can be found on www.virgingalactic.com. STILL WANT MORE? For more information and to register your interest in flying with us, or just for updates on progress, you can visit the website at www.virgingalactic.com. Unsubscribe  |  Privacy Policy Virgin Galactic Company Registration Number: 5802809. Registered in England & Wales. Registered Office: The School House, 50 Brook Green, London W6 7RR.