Spaceport America (Virgin Galactic) nears final test flights

Virgin Galactic is about to launch its final series of test flights before it begins shuttling paying passengers into suborbit early next year from Spaceport America in southern New Mexico.

President and CEO George Whitesides told a luncheon crowd in Albuquerque on Tuesday that the company last week conducted its first “final qualification” firing of the rocket motor that will power the six-passenger spacecraft.

The company must first test the motor on the ground before mounting it on the rocket for manned flight. And the final qualification firing last Thursday in California marked a huge milestone that will pave the way for powered test flights in a few months, Whitesides said.

Until now, the company has conducted glider flights, whereby a mothership, known as WhiteKnightTwo, carries the rocket-propelled vehicle on its underbelly before releasing it at a certain altitude.

More at http://www.abqjournal.com/main/2013/03/06/news/spaceport-nears-final-test-flights.html .