TSC-assembly hangar: the next step for private space travel

TSC-assembly hangar: the next step for private space travel


TSC assembly hangar
Image: Virgin Galactic The Spaceship Company (TSC), a joint venture between Virgin Galactic and Scaled Composites, has opened the hangar for final assembly production of private, manned spacecraft. The 8-million-dollar project with a meaningful name FAITH (Final assembly, integration and test hangar) will be in the future for the final assembly steps of Virgins carrier aircraft WhiteKnightTwo (WK2) and the spacecraft SpaceShipTwo (SS2) is responsible. The founder of Virgin Group, Sir Richard Branson sees the opening of an important step for commercial space business and is proud that TSC may play a leading role.

In addition to assembly and maintenance of the 18,000-square-foot hangar will also house the headquarters of the company. This is the hall with enough space for the assembly of two aircraft of any type. In addition to the newly opened hangar TSC operates on the grounds of the Mojave Air and Space Port is another building for the pre-production and is planning additional enhancements. TSC President Enrico Palermo sees his company growing rapidly and plans over the next year 80 more employees to adjust.

When the first paying tourists are transported into space, is however still unclear. While Virgin Galactic has so far been recorded bookings worth 60 million dollars, with test flights only next year but is expected.