SPCE
- Virgin Galactic Holdings, Inc.
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Overview
Company Summary
Virgin Galactic Holdings, Inc. (SPCE) is a spaceflight company founded by entrepreneur Sir Richard Branson. It aims to make space tourism a reality by offering suborbital flights to private individuals and researchers.
The company's main focus is on the development and operation of commercial space vehicles, specifically its spacecraft called SpaceShipTwo. These spacecraft are designed to carry passengers, known as "space tourists," on brief trips to the edge of space and back.
Virgin Galactic's spacecraft are unique in that they are not launched vertically like traditional rockets. Instead, they are carried aloft by a large carrier aircraft called WhiteKnightTwo, which then releases the spacecraft at high altitude. The spacecraft's rocket engine then ignites, propelling it into suborbital space.
During the flight, passengers experience several minutes of weightlessness while enjoying breathtaking views of the Earth from space. After this suborbital journey, the spacecraft re-enters the Earth's atmosphere and glides back to the runway for a conventional landing.
Aside from space tourism, Virgin Galactic also offers research and scientific services. The company collaborates with various research institutions, government agencies, and commercial partners to conduct experiments and gather data during its missions. This collaboration allows scientists and researchers to conduct experiments in microgravity environments and gain valuable insights into various fields such as astronomy, physics, and biology.
Moreover, Virgin Galactic aims to play a crucial role in advancing space technology and making space more accessible. Through its projects and partnerships, the company strives to develop and refine technologies that could potentially lead to more sustainable space travel options and pave the way for future commercial space exploration.
Overall, Virgin Galactic is working towards democratizing access to space and creating a new industry for space tourism and research. Its vision is to give people from all walks of life the opportunity to experience space travel and contribute to scientific advancements in a rapidly evolving space industry.