When Scaled Composites and Virgin Galactic decided to partner on a new generation of sub-orbital space vehicles, the new company needed a name. Keeping with the simplicity of naming Scaled's spacecraft SpaceShipOne and SpaceShipTwo, choosing the name was apparently easy, The Spaceship Company.
Today as development of SpaceShipTwo continues over the Mojave desert, the final pieces of the facility where the production spacecraft will be built are being put into place. The Spaceship Company's new building is located a very short walk from Scaled Composites main hangar at the Mojave Air & Space Port. Most of the building is complete and the facility is expected to be ready for production by September according to Aviation Week and Space Technology.
Once production begins, the joint venture will produce both the SpaceShipTwo spacecraft as well as the WhiteKnightTwo carrier aircraft. The fuselages for both are structurally identical. The new factory is far from a large assembly line facility found at big aerospace companies such as Boeing or Norhtrop Grumman. Instead, it will retain the smaller, handcrafted type of operation true to the Scaled name.
TSC is expected to employ around 175 people by late next year when production will be in full swing. According to Aviation Week and Space Technology, final assembly will take place in the new building, while several parts, including the 135 foot long composite spar for WK2, will be constructed in nearby hangars.
Glide testing of SpaceShipTwo picked up during May and June with nine flights during the two month period, including back to back flights on June 14 and 15. Powered flights are expected to begin sometime this fall. Initial test flights to space will follow.
Photo: Virgin Galactic
