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Updated October 31, 2014

VIRGIN GALACTIC AT A GLANCE

FACT SHEET

NOTE: THIS INFORMATION WAS PRODUCED AND ACCURATE IN ADVANCE OF TRAGIC EVENTS ON 31ST
OCTOBER 2014. IT HAS BEEN PROVIDED TO SUPPORT SUBSEQUENT MEDIA ENQUIRIES


Who:

Vision:

Virgin Galactic is the worlds first commercial spaceline.

Virgin Galactic, in conjunction with its development partner Scaled Composites, is currently in
the test phase of a new space reusable space system which aims to transform access to outer
space. Its objective is to provide affordable and safe launch opportunities for astronauts and
research payloads, and is also developing a new vehicle to carry small satellites into orbit.
Thanks to the innovative design and the low prices, these vehicles will increase the frequency
of space flight. Additionally, the vehicles will open up the space frontier to innovators of all
sorts, from start-ups and schools to established space companies and national space agencies.
By achieving these objectives, Virgin Galactic will fulfil its purpose as the Spaceline for Earth.

Tourism
Experience: SpaceShipTwo, Virgin Galactics primary space vehicle, is designed to reach an altitude that
exceeds NASAs definition of space and earns our customers official astronaut status.
Passengers will experience the unique thrills of spaceflight, enjoying the opportunity to leave
their seats to float in zero-gravity for several minutes. Looking out twelve large windows,
passengers will take in astounding views of space and of the Earth below, stretching
approximately 1,000 miles in every direction. Prior to the flight, passengers will go through
three days of preparation, medical checks and bonding with their flight crew all of which is
included in the price of the space ticket.

Research &
Education
Benefits:
SpaceShipTwo can also be configured to carry research payloads by replacing astronauts
seats with mounting racks that can accommodate the leading payload container systems. Each
flight can carry as much as 1,300 pounds (600 kilograms) of payload into space, offering an
unparalleled opportunity to conduct high-quality, affordable experiments. Many researchers
are looking at SpaceShipTwo as an invaluable stepping stone on their way to orbital systems,
while others are conducting unique research custom-designed for suborbital flight.

Small Satellite
Launch:
Virgin Galactic will provide launch services for small satellites to Low Earth Orbit (LEO) with
the LauncherOne vehicle. Traditionally, small satellites have been launched as secondary
payloads, which constrains the satellite providers choice of launch characteristics.
LauncherOne will allow small satellite providers greater flexibility in selecting launch dates,
locations and orbits that are optimized for their mission goals.

Owners:
Sir Richard Bransons Virgin Group and Aabar Investments PJS

History:
The 2004 Ansari X Prize called for private sector innovations in the field of manned space
exploration. Specifically, participants had to design and manufacture a privately funded
vehicle that could deliver the weight of three people (including one actual person) to
suborbital space. The vehicle had to be 80 percent reusable and fly twice within a two-week
period.

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Mojave Aerospace Ventures, a Paul G. Allen company, and Burt Rutans Scaled Composites
pursued the X Prize with Rutans SpaceShipOne, an air-launched all composite rocket ship.
The Virgin Group sponsored SpaceShipOnes final X Prize winning flight. In October 2004,
SpaceShipOne with pilot Brian Binnie won the X Prize. SpaceShipOne is now permanently
displayed in the Milestones of Flight Gallery at the Smithsonian National Air and Space
Museum.

With this success, the Virgin Group licensed Mojave Aerospace Ventures technology and
invested in the development of a second-generation vehicle for commercial ventures. Virgin
Galactic was born.

Seeing space tourism as a reality, early adopters began making reservations to buy tickets for
flights, providing vital, tangible proof of an available market. To date, more than 700 people
from around the world have purchased reservations to fly on SpaceShipTwothis number is
substantially higher than the total number of humans who have been to space throughout all
of history to date (546 as of October 31, 2014).

Vehicles:

Flight Cost:

SpaceShipTwo (SS2) SS2 is a reusable spaceplane designed to carry six passengers and
two pilots into space. It uses much of the same technology, construction techniques, and
basic design of SpaceShipOne, but is twice the size. It was unveiled in December 2009, and
the exhaustive test flight program began in March 2010. The first rocket-powered
supersonic flight of SS2 took place April 29, 2013. The second SpaceShipTwo is currently
approximately 60% complete as of October 31, 2014.

WhiteKnightTwo (WK2) WK2 is the carrier aircraft for both SpaceShipTwo and
LauncherOne. It is the largest 100-percent carbon composite carrier craft ever built. The
first WhiteKnightTwo is called VMS Eve. Eve made her first flight in December 2008, and
was transferred from Scaled Composites to Virgin Galactic / TSC in Spring 2014.
LauncherOne (L1) L1 is an expendable launch vehicle designed to launch small satellites
into Low Earth Orbit. It is a two-stage rocket powered by liquid rocket engines, and will be
air-launched from the WK2 carrier aircraft. LauncherOne was announced in July 2012, and
is expected to make its first flight as early as late 2016.

A Virgin Galactic suborbital flight for an individual costs $250,000. To date, the company has
received more than $89 million in deposits and sales from approximately 700 individuals
(20% more than the total number of people who have ever gone to space). In addition to a
Virgin Galactic direct reservations facility, a specialist network of Virgin Galactic Accredited
Space Agents has been set up around the world to provide a localized reservation service.

ANTICIPATED LAUNCH DATES
Human
Spaceflight:

Satellite
Launch:

Operations:

Virgin Galactic will officially launch with paying passengers once it believes it is safe to do so
and has received all regulatory approvals.
LauncherOne is currently under development. Orbital launches could begin as early as late
2016.
Virgin Galactics Mojave-based The Spaceship Company (TSC) is currently building the second
spaceship and carrier aircraft and will be responsible for building a fleet of vehicles for Virgin
Galactic operations as well as supporting on-going spaceline operations.

New Mexico Spaceport Authority (NMSA) funded the worlds first purpose-built spaceport
complete with a 12,000-foot runway. Located in Las Cruces, N.M., the $200+ million Spaceport
America serves as Virgin Galactics headquarters and base of operations. The Virgin Galactic
Gateway to Space was designed by Foster + Partners, URS Corporation and New Mexico firm
SMPC Architects. The facility was dedicated in October 2011.
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Workforce:

Leadership:




Website:

Approximately 430 staff.

CEO George Whitesides
President Steve Isakowitz
President of The Spaceship Company Doug Shane
Commercial Director Stephen Attenborough
Senior Vice President, Spaceport & Program Devt. Jonathan Firth
Vice President of Operations Mike Moses
www.VirginGalactic.com
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MEDIA CONTACT
Edelman Public Relations
VirginGalacticPress@Edelman.com
+44 203 047 2287
+1 212 819 4870