Virgin announces plans for Spaceport Abu Dhabi

Virgin Galactic is to set up Spaceport Abu Dhabi in the UAE and has appointed a chief adviser to oversee the project.
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Announcing the venture at the Global Aerospace Summit in Abu Dhabi, Virgin Galactic chief executive George Whitesides said that the UAE-based spaceport would become a hub for space tourism, research and education in the region.

The plan now is to find a suitable location and start the regulatory processes needed to allow space flights to take place.

Steve Landeene will oversee the task as chief adviser on the project - Landeene was Virgin's director at Spaceport America from 2009 to 2010.

Virgin Galactic's New Mexico spaceport will be finished in about 12 months and flights will likely start in 2014. The new spaceport in the UAE is a logical step as the company's biggest backer is Abu Dhabi-based Aabar Investments, with which it paired in 2009.  

Whitesides also said it has partnered with Abu Dhabi's Zayed University on a new intern programme. This summer its first student, an unnamed young woman, will work with the brand team at Virgin Galactic's London Office.

"Just as the Apollo programme inspired youngsters to want study maths and science, we want to inspire the next generation of would-be astronauts," Whitesides said. 
 
“Perhaps one day we will see a future generation of our spaceships fly from here in Abu Dhabi to New Mexico in no more than an hour," he said.
 
Commenting on the appointment, Mohamed Badawy Al-Husseiny, CEO of Aabar said: “We are pleased that someone with Steve’s exceptional experience in aerospace and spaceport development has agreed to spearhead this exciting and important vision for the project. 
 
"We are at the dawn of a new era in commercial space and are perfectly positioned with the world’s first spaceline, Virgin Galactic, to ensure that we are a prime beneficiary of the opportunities that will follow."
 
Virgin Galactic has now signed up its 500th passenger for its future sub-orbital flights out of the USA. It has also signed its first space research agreements, one with NASA, and is producing parts for another spacecraft. 
 

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