Twenty Gulf astronauts to blast into space
Virgin Galactic is aiming to launch test flights next year; 20 people from the region have put down deposits for $200,000 trips.
March 3, 2010 2:20 by Ben Flanagan
Virgin Galactic is aiming to launch test flights into space in 2011, and claims that 20 aspiring astronauts from the Gulf region are among 330 people to have put down deposits for the $200,000 trips.
Richard Branson’s commercial space airline also said that it does not need additional financing after selling a stake to Abu Dhabi’s Abaar last year, its chief executive was quoted by Reuters as saying.
“We’ve passed a lot of the biggest hurdles,” Will Whitehorn told reporters at a space conference in Dubai. “The spaceport will be open next year and we will hopefully test flights into space next year.”
Virgin Galactic is partly owned by Abu Dhabi-based Aabar Investments.
RELATED STORIES
Virgin Galactic unveils the world’s first commercial spaceship.
Aabar to buy 32pc stake in Virgin Galactic
More on GCC
-
NCoV – First report of patient-to-nurse spread
-
Saudi regulations target stock market speculators
-
Dubai’s Arqaam Capital Eyes South Africa, Saudi Expansion
-
U.S. Targets Two UAE Firms For Dealing With Blacklisted Iran Banks
-
Airbus officially picked by Kuwait Airways
-
GMR reveals top 50 Mena Corporate Brands
-
Kuwait Airways to sign $3 billion-plus Airbus deal
-
Abu Dhabi Tourism Company Loss Widens
-
Emirates Airline reaps expansion profits
-
Saudi Arabia has 13 cases of SARS-like Coronavirus – WHO
-
UAE Central Bank Shuts Two Money Exchange Firms For Violations
-
Emal plans further expansion
-
Dubai looking at alternatives to repay debt
-
Two more die in Saudi Arabia from SARS-like virus – WHO
-
Alwaleed’s Kingdom on the prowl
-
Qatar Airways now looks to Airbus
-
World’s Longest-Range Passenger Jet
-
Abu Dhabi says financial zone will bridge a gap
-
Five dead from new SARS-like virus in Saudi
-
Emaar boss says “flipping” needs to be controlled
Lately on Kipp
-
Dusting off the Emirates ID card
-
Turkish Airlines Can Ride Out Turbulence
-
Taking on Abercrombie & Fitch
-
Red Hat Expands Technical Account Management Services to Offer SAP® Solution-centric Support
-
R&M’s New CSR Report Highlights Company’s Achievements in Advancing Ecological Efficiency and Social Accountability
-
NCoV – First report of patient-to-nurse spread
