credit: Virgin Galactic
At the 59th International Astronautical Congress, held on Glasgow, Scotland, Virgin Galactic president Will Whitehorn and the US government’s National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) announced that through a non-exchange of funds agreement (so Virgin Galactic isn’t being paid) the two organisatons would collaborate on scientific research using the spaceline’s vehicles WhiteKnightTwo (WK2) and SpaceShipTwo (SS2)
Scientific instruments used to study the environment will be attached to both WK2 and SS2 during their flight tests and during commercial operations
Click through to the extended portion to watch a video of the presentation that includes a video message from Virgin group chairman Sir Richard Branson
Due to a short delay in proceedings there is about 50s of empty air before the presentation begins