Aviation

Virgin Galactic’s Richard Branson says he will be in space in six months

Richard Branson has claimed he will be able to go into space within the next six months.

The billionaire entrepreneur said he expects to make his first voyage with his Virgin Galactic space programme. He added that the company is still on target to send tourists into space by the end of next year.

He remained optimistic about the company’s future three years on from a crash which resulted in the death of one pilot and injured another in California’s Mojave Desert.

Despite this and a number of smaller setbacks, over 700 potential customers, including scientists such as Stephen Hawkingand celebrities such as Brad Pitt and Ashton Kutcher, have signed up to take a $250,000 (£200,000) trip on one of its crafts.

Speaking at the Nordic Business Forum in Helsinki, Finland last week, Mr Branson said: “We are hopefully about three months before we are in space, maybe six months before I’m in space.”

He added that his space exploration rival Elon Musk, who is behind the Space X programme to produce reusable rockets, was likely to reach Mars before him, the Daily Mail reported.

“I’m not as passionate about Mars as Elon is,” he said. “My love for space is about how much it can do for people back here on Earth, and that’s what Virgin Galactic is pushing towards.”

Mr Musk recently announced plans to get to Mars by 2022.

Related Topics:Aerospace Richard branson Virgin Virgin Galactic'

Aviation

Boeing, Antonov to Collaborate on Defense Projects

– MOU represents Boeing’s commitment to work with Ukrainian industry

– Includes exploring opportunities for collaborating on in-country support of Unmanned Aerial Systems

A Memorandum of Understanding was signed today by Boeing and Antonov Company to investigate potential collaboration on defense-related projects.

“We’re happy to keep collaborating with the Antonov Company to help Ukraine’s economic development and expansion,” stated Ted Colbert, CEO and president of Boeing Defence, Space, & Security.

Airbus and the Antonov An-225: The Best Partnership:Click here

“This agreement demonstrates our ongoing efforts to find more opportunities to work with Ukrainian industry, which was underscored by our signing of the Ukrainian Defence Industry Compact earlier this year.”

The areas of potential collaboration identified in the agreement consist of training, logistical support and overhaul services for tactical Unmanned Aerial Systems utilized by the Ukrainian Armed Forces, which includes the ScanEagle. In addition, the companies will also explore opportunities for Antonov to provide engineering support to Boeing.

The six largest cargo aircraft ever built in the aviation industry:Click here

“A strong, innovative, and efficient defense industry is key to sustainable economic development and national security, and we are extremely excited to collaborate with Boeing,” said Ievhen Gavrylov, CEO of Antonov Company.

This agreement brings a whole new level of opportunity to implement the latest and most effective solutions – in addition to the possibility of future projects with Boeing in the aerospace and defense industry.”