Just back from…Spaceport America

By Virtuoso Life senior editor Justin Paul

“Think of yourselves as future astronauts as you walk through,” Virgin Galactic’s Carolyn Wincer instructed the group of accredited space agents (ASAs) spanning North America, Australia, New Zealand, Russia, Hong Kong, Israel, and beyond. And with that, the doors of Spaceport America opened, and we strode into the 2012 ASA Forum. More than 70 ASAs and Virtuoso’s Matthew Upchurch, David Hansen, Jim Osborne, Keith Waldon, Tony Poe, and I made the trek to Truth or Consequences, New Mexico, for this year’s forum. Our mission: an exclusive in-depth update on the progress of Richard Branson’s space venture and a behind-the-scenes tour of Spaceport America.

After a quick introduction to the terminal that will serve as Virgin Galactic’s home base and photo ops on the runway, we broke into groups for sessions with key Virgin Galactic team members on nearly every aspect of the future spaceflight. Test pilots Keith Colmer and Dave Mackay presented updates on pilot training and flight day details. Dr. Jim Vanderploeg discussed preflight medical assessments in the space being built out as the terminal’s future clinic. Mike Moses, Virgin Galactic’s vice president of operations, welcomed us to the mission control room overlooking the runway and detailed his role and his staff’s at the command center, from taxi to touchdown. Throughout the day, presenters encouraged ASAs to ask questions, voice concerns, and provide input on ways to enhance future astronauts’ experience at the spaceport.

As the event wrapped up in true Virgin Galactic style – a party with local dignitaries and stargazing on the Spaceport America runway until well past midnight – one thing was clear: With SpaceShipTwo about to enter the final phase of test flights, Virgin Galactic’s program is primed for liftoff. Look for an in-depth update on Virgin Galactic in Virtuoso Life’s January/February 2013 issue.