Spaceport America Congratulates Virgin Galactic on their Powered Flight Milestone

Las Cruces, NM – Spaceport America congratulates Virgin Galactic on today’s successful powered flight of their SpaceShipTwo rocket plane, which takes them closer to their final FAA licensing and the completion of their test program.

“Achieving powered flight for SpaceShipTwo was a critical step in Virgin Galactic’s final testing and a major milestone for the company. Today’s successful powered flight means we are getting closer to the day when the first Virgin Galactic passenger flight will be taking place from Spaceport America in New Mexico,” said Christine Anderson, Executive Director of the New Mexico Spaceport Authority.

Virgin Galactic has now moved into the design and fit out stage of their “Virgin Galactic Gateway to Space” terminal hangar building at Spaceport America as they ready for their headquarter operations to move to New Mexico once their testing is completed in Mojave, CA.

ABOUT SPACEPORT AMERICA:

Spaceport America is the first purpose-built commercial spaceport in the world. The launch complex has been providing commercial vertical launch services since 2006, and is situated on 18,000 acres adjacent to the U.S. Army White Sands Missile Range in southern New Mexico. Virgin Galactic is the spaceport’s anchor tenant. Phase One of development is now reaching completion, and includes the Gateway to Space Terminal Hangar Facility, the Spaceport Operations Center, the 12,000-foot spaceway and supporting infrastructure.

Phase Two activities are currently underway and include improvements to the vertical launch complex, additional road access to the spaceport, and the development of a world-class Visitors Experience that includes two Welcome Centers and a Visitors Center designed to delight and inspire spaceport guests.

Spaceport America has hosted 18 vertical launches and generated over 1,200 local jobs.

For more information, please visit: www.spaceportamerica.com Images and HD video of Spaceport America can be found by going to: http://spaceportamerica.com/press-center/

Find Spaceport America on Facebook or follow us on Twitter: @Spaceport_NM Media contact: David Wilson @ 575-640-8228 or by email at: dwilson@zianet.com