Scotland lined up for space launch

Published: Apr 09, 2006
Source: www.timesonline.co.uk



IT USED to be the stuff of science fiction, but now tourist trips to space are to be launched from Scotland, under new plans being considered by Sir Richard Branson's company Virgin Galatic.

Last month the company directors announced that they would launch their first commercial flight into space in 2008 from New Mexico and have already attracted 167 bookings at a cost of £115,000 per person.

A number of celebrities including Sigourney Weaver, star of the Alien films, Paris Hilton, the socialite, and Victoria Principal, the former star of Dallas, the TV soap opera, have bought tickets for the flight — described as a reverse bungee. Professor Stephen Hawking has also expressed an interest.

Now Will Whitehorn, the Edinburgh-born director of Virgin Galatic claims it is “very likely” that the company will build a spaceport in Scotland, similar to that being developed in New Mexico at a cost of £129m.continue..