Virgin Galactic's SpaceShipTwo has recently completed a supersonic test flight on Friday, January 10, bringing the company closer to its goal to launch their commercial space flights by the end of the year.
"For Galactic, 2014 is the year that we plan to go to space, and start operating commercially," stated Virgin Galactic CEO George Whitesides.
Virgin Galactic has been developing the world's first commercial spaceline and they are positive that 2014 will see the first successful commercial space flight ever. To date, the company has already sold seats to 650 people at $250,000 per seat.
In relation to making this event happen, Virgin Galactic signed a lease contract with Spaceport America in New Mexico. This spaceport will serve as Galactic's headquarters where operation of their spaceflights will be done. Spaceport America is considered as the world's first purpose-built spaceport for commercial flights.
Recently, Spaceport America was used by SpaceX to fly their Falcon 9R reusable rocket. In 2013, New Mexico authorities announced that Space X has finalized a three-year lease of land and facilities use at Spaceport America.
Furthermore, the Launch Site Operator License of Spaceport America has been renewed by the Federal Aviation Administration Associate Administrator for Commercial Space Transportation (FAA/AST). Spaceport America needs the license so the facility could be used to host vertical and horizontal launches.
Executive Director of New Mexico Spaceport Authority (NMSA), Christine Anderson, is hopeful that the year will bring in milestone achievements for the commercial space flight industry. This year, majority of the NMSA staff will move on-site and work on the Spaceport Operations Center.
"We have supported 20 launches to date and look forward to an increased launch rate in 2014. We are ready to support our tenants, Virgin Galactic and SpaceX," Anderson told SPACE.com. "In general, I think we will continue to see steady progress in the commercial space industry," she added.
Founder and co-host of radio and Internet program, The Space Show, David Livingston also has comments regarding the news.
"My own thoughts are that Virgin Galactic will be the first to fly later this year. But there are still lots of tests and demonstrations needed for first commercial flight in 2014," he said to SPACE.com. "Even if commercial flights are delayed, this year has the potential for breakthroughs...as the emerging space industry garners more and more interest, including interest from professional investors."
