Old Virgin Atlantic 747 will be launch platform for Galactic

Thursday, 04 Dec, 2015 0

Virgin Atlantic is to use one of its old 747-400 jumbos as the launch platform for Virgin Galactic.

The 747, which went into service in 2001 and is coincidentally named Cosmic Girl, will act as a moving launch platform for satellites.

It will carry rockets to around 40,000 feet where they will be released into orbit.

The same type of aircraft was used to transport Nasa’s old shuttles across America.

“The Boeing 747 has a very special place in my heart: we began service on my first airline, Virgin Atlantic, with just one leased 747,” Sir Richard said in a statement.

“I never imagined that today one of our 747s would get a second chance and help open access to space. I’m absolutely thrilled that Cosmic Girl can stay in the Virgin family – and truly live up to her name™



 

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Bev

Editor in chief Bev Fearis has been a travel journalist for 25 years. She started her career at Travel Weekly, where she became deputy news editor, before joining Business Traveller as deputy editor and launching the magazine’s website. She has also written travel features, news and expert comment for the Guardian, Observer, Times, Telegraph, Boundless and other consumer titles and was named one of the top 50 UK travel journalists by the Press Gazette.



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