Rocketeers.co.uk - a British view of commercial spaceflight

Insurance groups met at the World Space Risk Forum in Dubai last week, to discuss the prospects of space tourism, according to this ABC News report. The consensus was generally positive, reporting that the field is expected to be viable in the next two to three years.

I was struck by this comment by Laurent Lemaire of Elseco Limited:

'You're going to be sick, you're going to be shaken, it's not going to be pleasant. But when you stop in the silence and see the earth from above, it's probably something that's deeply fulfilling,' said Lemaire.

Um. It's going to be "unpleasant" in the same way that a rollercoaster ride is "unpleasant". It's all part of the experience! Besides, I'd hope Virgin would do something to address the resonance in the hybrid motor that was seen in part of the SS1 ascent. That's one of the advantages of a liquid-fuelled system -- a much smoother ride.

Former NASA astronaut Leroy Chiao also discussed the plans of Manx-based Excalibur Almaz at the forum.

(Source: Royal Aeronautical Society)

Two upcoming opportunities to hear David Mackay, test pilot for Virgin Galactic:

1. RAeS Gatwick Branch Lecture:
Virgin Galactic - Space for More, Wednesday, 10th March 2010 18:30
See event website for more details.

2. RAeS Bristol Branch lecture:
Virgin Galactic - Space for More, Monday 15th March 2010.
See website for free registration.

The Boscombe Down branch of the Royal Aeronautical Society has organised a lecture by Will Whitehorn, the president of Virgin Galactic, on the 9th Feb and has kindly thrown the
event open to a wider audience.

Due to security restrictions in force at MOD Boscombe Down (where lectures are hosted) any non-branch members wishing to attend will need to register their interest through Bryan Somerset – preferably via e-mail: BCSOMERSET@qinetiq.com.

Guests are welcome to all of Boscombe Down's lectures on this basis - they do suggest that a contribution is made towards refreshment (they operate an honesty box system). Similarly, if interested, guests can join the branch on the night.

More details on the RAeS website.

Wil Whitehorn, president of Virgin Galactic, will be one of the guest speakers at a panel discussion on the opening day of Adventure Travel Live at the Royal Horticultural Halls, London on Friday 29th January. The panel will be chaired by Simon Calder, presenter of Simon Calder's Travel Clinic on LBC, senior travel editor at the Independent, and travel broadcaster on BBC, GMTV and CNN.

• Adventure Travel Live: Simon Calder's Weekend of Adventure Travel Plus Special Guests: see link for ticket information

Questions on Security Mar Foreign Investments
The New York Times

Executives at Virgin Galactic, by comparison, say they remain confident they can clear up government concerns about the proposed sale of 32 percent of their venture to Aabar Investments of Abu Dhabi, which is controlled by the government there.

National security officials participating in the review have questioned whether sensitive rocket and missile launching and fabrication technology might be shared with foreign governments as a result of the transaction, according to executives involved in the deal who asked not to be identified because details of the transaction are confidential.

The administration also sought to make sure that the deal would not violate an international agreement called the Missile Technology Control Regime that is intended to prevent the global spread of missile-based weapons delivery systems.

As a result, the companies involved have agreed to resubmit their application for government approval, restarting the 90-day clock the government has to accept or reject the proposal.

(Source: Arabian Business)

Aabar Investments boss Khadem Abdullah Al Qubaisi has unveiled plans to fly from Abu Dhabi to LA in two hours, as part of a venture with Virgin Galactic.

Earlier this year, Aabar – which is controlled by the Abu Dhabi government – announced it would take a 32 percent stake in Sir Richard Branson’s commercial space project for $280m.

Speaking to Arabian Business, Aabar chairman Al Qubaisi said: “The point here is to use Abu Dhabi and LA as a hub, or somewhere in the US, and to fly from Abu Dhabi and land in the other place in two or three hours.”

Virgin Galactic is set to launch commercial flights into space in 2011, charging each passenger $200,000.

Speaking about reports that the Committee on Foreign Investments in the United States (CFIUS) had launched a national security investigation into the deal between Aabar and Virgin Galactic which could eventually block it, Al Qubaisi said he was unconcerned.

“I think everything is smooth and there is no problem at all… what happened is a starightforward issue, I think. They (the US government) need to make sure the country which will be a hub for this kind of service will follow the rules and laws that apply. What I mean by this is they will not use this for some terrorist attacks,” he said.

He added that Abu Dhabi’s relationship with the United States was “very good,” and that he did not expect the approval process to take longer than a “few weeks".

Aabar Investments is 71 percent owned by Abu Dhabi's International Petroleum Investment Company.

Rocketeer comments: Note that this service will require a third- or fourth-generation suborbital vehicle to achieve, with corresponding substantial development investment. SS2 is nowhere near capable of the delta-V required for such a flight.

Jeff Foust has more on the export control issues:

• A CFIUS problem for Virgin? -- Space Politics

The US Treasury is conducting a national security review into Virgin Galactic's partnership with Aabar Investments of Abu Dhabi:

• US inquiry into sale of Virgin Galactic stake to Arab investor -- Times Online

The spaceport at Kiruna, Sweden gets ready to host SS2 flights:

• Space Tourism to take off in Kiruna -- The Local

When Burt Rutan tells you it's not a good idea to stage an unveiling ceremony in the middle of a hurricane, listen to him...