{"id":56700,"date":"2021-09-09T21:55:47","date_gmt":"2021-09-09T13:55:47","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/wp-productionenv-bjg9h2g2bgg5b8aa.southeastasia-01.azurewebsites.net\/news\/richard-branson-looks-to-the-future-of-flight-as-his-space-journey-comes-full-circle\/"},"modified":"2021-09-09T21:55:47","modified_gmt":"2021-09-09T13:55:47","slug":"richard-branson-looks-to-the-future-of-flight-as-his-space-journey-comes-full-circle","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/starpath.global\/news\/richard-branson-looks-to-the-future-of-flight-as-his-space-journey-comes-full-circle\/","title":{"rendered":"Richard Branson Looks to the Future of Flight as His Space Journey Comes Full Circle"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>Sir Richard Branson\u2019s time in space was just a few minutes, but it was a journey 25 years in the making. During Wednesday\u2019s closing keynote at SATELLITE 2021, Branson shared with the audience that he looked to start a space business 25 years ago when he registered \u201cVirgin Galactic\u201d and somewhat ironically, \u201cVirgin Intergalactic\u201d as business names. This was the start of his journey into space, which recently culminated with the July 11 flight to suborbital space on the SpaceShipTwo VSS Unity vehicle. <\/p>\n<p>Branson appeared virtually and spoke alongside Dan Hart, CEO of launch company Virgin Orbit. Branson called his launch company the \u201cultimate recycling example,\u201d in terms of how it was started. <\/p>\n<p>\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" src=\"https:\/\/www.satellitetoday.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/Pa8ysZETLi9NJFBN2sAO_VS_ShowDaily20202120Day20420DGTL_1-300x225.jpg\" class=\"attachment-medium size-medium\" alt=\"\" style=\"width: 120px; height: auto;\" decoding=\"async\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.satellitetoday.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/Pa8ysZETLi9NJFBN2sAO_VS_ShowDaily20202120Day20420DGTL_1-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.satellitetoday.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/Pa8ysZETLi9NJFBN2sAO_VS_ShowDaily20202120Day20420DGTL_1-800x599.jpg 800w, https:\/\/www.satellitetoday.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/Pa8ysZETLi9NJFBN2sAO_VS_ShowDaily20202120Day20420DGTL_1-640x480.jpg 640w, https:\/\/www.satellitetoday.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/Pa8ysZETLi9NJFBN2sAO_VS_ShowDaily20202120Day20420DGTL_1.jpg 1280w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\">\t\t\t<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"fs-5 mt-0\">Explore the Show Daily 2021 Day 4 Issue<\/h3>\n<p class=\"mb-0 fs-smaller text-balance\">Check out more from this issue and find your next story to read.<\/p>\n<p>\t\t\t<button class=\"btn btn-primary\" type=\"button\" data-bs-toggle=\"offcanvas\" data-bs-target=\"#offcanvasMENU\" aria-controls=\"offcanvasExample\" aria-label=\"button\" style=\"white-space: nowrap;\"><br \/>\n\t\t\t\tView More <i class=\"bi bi-arrow-right-circle\"><\/i><br \/>\n\t\t\t<\/button><\/p>\n<p>\u201cWe have all these wonderful rocket scientists, so we decided to work on Virgin Orbit. We found a way to put our old 747s to good use. We had a team working to see if we could lift a large rocket on the side of our large 747s,\u201d Branson said of Virgin Orbit\u2019s origins. \u201cThey have consistently put satellites into orbit, and we couldn\u2019t be happier. If we hadn\u2019t used the 747 for this purpose, it would have ended up in the scrapyard.\u201d<\/p>\n<figure><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Placeholder alt text\" src=\"https:\/\/s3.amazonaws.com\/marquee-test-akiaisur2rgicbmpehea\/DNYm9sp6R8mq12Rcyswb_RB%20Space.jpg\"><\/figure>\n<p>One of the unique things about Virgin Orbit is its agility to put satellites into orbit by using the \u201cair launch\u201d technique, something that sets it apart from traditional launch providers. In a world where satellite infrastructure and the satellites themselves could come under attack, the ability to launch satellites in this manner could be a prized capability for national security.  <\/p>\n<p>\u201cIf a foreign power knocks satellites out of space, the great thing about Virgin Orbit is that we can scramble quickly and put satellites into orbit at very short notice. We are confident apart from the normal industry demand, there is another world out there who would like to use us. We think it can be a very effective deterrent. If a foreign power knows we have this capability, why would they then knock out satellites? This is why we can work with the likes of the U.S., Canada, and the U.K. governments.\u201d <\/p>\n<p><script>var AIAD_fcd45f981d570e35cee941b23edc69c7_6a6b844983924;googletag.cmd.push(function(){var AIMAP_29b58f13885ebf8ea6b032f958eb0748 = googletag.sizeMapping().addSize([992, 100], [[970, 90], [970, 250]]).addSize([768, 100], [728, 90]).addSize([320, 100], [320, 50]).build();var AIMAP_737ce075cc05dd766c8f8ea08f3faa73 = googletag.sizeMapping().addSize([768, 100], [728, 90]).addSize([320, 100], [320, 50]).build();var AIMAP_21fe3bcfb86a8660aba4e721ee9338f3 = googletag.sizeMapping().addSize([1200, 100], [970, 250]).addSize([768, 100], [600, 300]).addSize([320, 100], [300, 250]).build();AIAD_fcd45f981d570e35cee941b23edc69c7_6a6b844983924 = googletag.defineSlot('\/987\/satellitetoday.com\/via-satellite-digital-issue-ads', [ [600, 300], [300, 250], [970, 250] ], 'div-gpt-ad-1774631144891- 0-6a6b844983925').defineSizeMapping(AIMAP_21fe3bcfb86a8660aba4e721ee9338f3).setCollapseEmptyDiv(true).addService(googletag.pubads());   });<\/script><script>googletag.cmd.push(function() { googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-1774631144891- 0-6a6b844983925'); });<\/script><\/p>\n<p>Virgin Orbit\u2019s system can launch satellites from standard runways, making this possible nearly anywhere. New spaceports could emerge very quickly, and Virgin Orbit is in talks with a number of countries on this. <\/p>\n<p>\u201cThere are 130 countries which don\u2019t have launch capabilities. We can give them that,\u201d Branson said. \u201cThere is a lot of excitement from different countries around the world in potentially having this capability.<\/p>\n<p>Branson is clearly very proud of what Virgin Galactic and Virgin Orbit have achieved so far, and he believes this could be a golden era for the U.K. space industry. \u201cThere are exciting U.K. companies emerging in this area. There are a lot of brilliant British scientists that will give the world a run for their money.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>While Virgin Orbit is more than happy to launch satellites, Branson hopes Virgin will be able to partner with more people with ideas going forward. \u201cI am an entrepreneur. We don\u2019t mind people giving us a check to put things into space. But, we are more excited at the thought of partnering with people with great ideas. If there are people out there who have got ideas, there is an open door at Virgin Orbit.\u201d <\/p>\n<p>Fresh off of his milestone ride to space, Branson was asked if he would like to go to space again. <\/p>\n<p>\u201cI would love to go again,\u201d he said. \u201cThe adrenaline has not worn off. It was more extraordinary than I ever imagined. Based on the waiting list, I will be in my nineties before I get a chance to go again.\u201d <strong>VS<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>,<\/p>\n<h2 class=\"widget-title\">In This Issue<\/h2>\n<p>\t\t\t\t\t<!-- post id 425:  \/code\/wp-content\/themes\/ai-beehive\/template-parts\/content\/post-snippet.php --><\/p>\n<figure class=\"overflow-hidden w-100 me-3\">\n<p>\t<img loading=\"lazy\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" src=\"https:\/\/www.satellitetoday.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/lINIhCQ0Sq6ntT1AraTm_VS_ShowDaily20202120Day20420DGTL_2-300x225.jpg\" class=\"img-responsive wp-post-image\" alt=\"\" style=\"\" decoding=\"async\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.satellitetoday.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/lINIhCQ0Sq6ntT1AraTm_VS_ShowDaily20202120Day20420DGTL_2-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.satellitetoday.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/lINIhCQ0Sq6ntT1AraTm_VS_ShowDaily20202120Day20420DGTL_2-800x599.jpg 800w, https:\/\/www.satellitetoday.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/lINIhCQ0Sq6ntT1AraTm_VS_ShowDaily20202120Day20420DGTL_2-640x480.jpg 640w, https:\/\/www.satellitetoday.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/lINIhCQ0Sq6ntT1AraTm_VS_ShowDaily20202120Day20420DGTL_2.jpg 1280w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\">\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure>\n<h3 class=\"fs-4 w-100 line-clamp-3\">\n<p>\t\t\t\tHughes, OneWeb and Yahsat: Industry News for Sept. 10<br \/>\n\t\t<\/h3>\n<p><!-- .post-snippet --><\/p>\n<hr class=\"my-3 d-block d-md-none\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<!-- post id 424:  \/code\/wp-content\/themes\/ai-beehive\/template-parts\/content\/post-snippet.php --><\/p>\n<figure class=\"overflow-hidden w-100 me-3\">\n<p>\t<img width=\"300\" height=\"200\" src=\"https:\/\/www.satellitetoday.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/rCTQmzf9RfS2wvpaEXTP_Royal20Visit-32-300x200.jpg\" class=\"img-responsive wp-post-image\" alt=\"\" style=\"\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.satellitetoday.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/rCTQmzf9RfS2wvpaEXTP_Royal20Visit-32-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.satellitetoday.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/rCTQmzf9RfS2wvpaEXTP_Royal20Visit-32-800x533.jpg 800w, https:\/\/www.satellitetoday.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/rCTQmzf9RfS2wvpaEXTP_Royal20Visit-32-640x426.jpg 640w, https:\/\/www.satellitetoday.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/rCTQmzf9RfS2wvpaEXTP_Royal20Visit-32.jpg 1280w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\">\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure>\n<h3 class=\"fs-4 w-100 line-clamp-3\">\n<p>\t\t\t\tInside the UK Space Sector\u2019s Renaissance<br \/>\n\t\t<\/h3>\n<p><!-- .post-snippet --><\/p>\n<hr class=\"my-3\">\n<p>\t\t\t\t\t<!-- post id 423:  \/code\/wp-content\/themes\/ai-beehive\/template-parts\/content\/post-snippet.php --><\/p>\n<figure class=\"overflow-hidden w-100 me-3\">\n<p>\t<img width=\"300\" height=\"225\" src=\"https:\/\/www.satellitetoday.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/ZxiqjWeTGS7kycOuC3uA_VS_ShowDaily20202120Day20420DGTL_7-300x225.jpg\" class=\"img-responsive wp-post-image\" alt=\"\" style=\"\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.satellitetoday.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/ZxiqjWeTGS7kycOuC3uA_VS_ShowDaily20202120Day20420DGTL_7-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.satellitetoday.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/ZxiqjWeTGS7kycOuC3uA_VS_ShowDaily20202120Day20420DGTL_7-800x599.jpg 800w, https:\/\/www.satellitetoday.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/ZxiqjWeTGS7kycOuC3uA_VS_ShowDaily20202120Day20420DGTL_7-640x480.jpg 640w, https:\/\/www.satellitetoday.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/ZxiqjWeTGS7kycOuC3uA_VS_ShowDaily20202120Day20420DGTL_7.jpg 1280w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\">\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure>\n<h3 class=\"fs-4 w-100 line-clamp-3\">\n<p>\t\t\t\tOperators Seek Diverse Business Models to Add Value<br \/>\n\t\t<\/h3>\n<p><!-- .post-snippet --><\/p>\n<hr class=\"my-3 d-block d-md-none\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<!-- post id 422:  \/code\/wp-content\/themes\/ai-beehive\/template-parts\/content\/post-snippet.php --><\/p>\n<figure class=\"overflow-hidden w-100 me-3\">\n<p>\t<img width=\"300\" height=\"225\" src=\"https:\/\/www.satellitetoday.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/0Va3i5N1SPmUto3pu1Nt_VS_ShowDaily20202120Day20420DGTL_6-300x225.jpg\" class=\"img-responsive wp-post-image\" alt=\"\" style=\"\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.satellitetoday.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/0Va3i5N1SPmUto3pu1Nt_VS_ShowDaily20202120Day20420DGTL_6-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.satellitetoday.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/0Va3i5N1SPmUto3pu1Nt_VS_ShowDaily20202120Day20420DGTL_6-800x599.jpg 800w, https:\/\/www.satellitetoday.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/0Va3i5N1SPmUto3pu1Nt_VS_ShowDaily20202120Day20420DGTL_6-640x480.jpg 640w, https:\/\/www.satellitetoday.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/0Va3i5N1SPmUto3pu1Nt_VS_ShowDaily20202120Day20420DGTL_6.jpg 1280w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\">\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure>\n<h3 class=\"fs-4 w-100 line-clamp-3\">\n<p>\t\t\t\tPentagon Works to Adopt Mature AI Capabilities for Satellite Communications<br \/>\n\t\t<\/h3>\n<p><!-- .post-snippet --><\/p>\n<hr class=\"my-3\">\n<p>\t\t\t\t\t<!-- post id 420:  \/code\/wp-content\/themes\/ai-beehive\/template-parts\/content\/post-snippet.php --><\/p>\n<figure class=\"overflow-hidden w-100 me-3\">\n<p>\t<img width=\"300\" height=\"225\" src=\"https:\/\/www.satellitetoday.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/ayuqmh9ORK5Z2DK9y5LH_VS_ShowDaily20202120Day20420DGTL_3-300x225.jpg\" class=\"img-responsive wp-post-image\" alt=\"\" style=\"\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.satellitetoday.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/ayuqmh9ORK5Z2DK9y5LH_VS_ShowDaily20202120Day20420DGTL_3-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.satellitetoday.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/ayuqmh9ORK5Z2DK9y5LH_VS_ShowDaily20202120Day20420DGTL_3-800x599.jpg 800w, https:\/\/www.satellitetoday.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/ayuqmh9ORK5Z2DK9y5LH_VS_ShowDaily20202120Day20420DGTL_3-640x480.jpg 640w, https:\/\/www.satellitetoday.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/ayuqmh9ORK5Z2DK9y5LH_VS_ShowDaily20202120Day20420DGTL_3.jpg 1280w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\">\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure>\n<h3 class=\"fs-4 w-100 line-clamp-3\">\n<p>\t\t\t\tUpcoming Wave of Demand and Customer Requirements Push Changes in the Launch Landscape<br \/>\n\t\t<\/h3>\n<p><!-- .post-snippet --><\/p>\n<hr class=\"my-3 d-block d-md-none\">\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Sir Richard Branson\u2019s time in space was just a few minutes, but it was a journey 25 years in the making. During Wednesday\u2019s closing keynote at SATELLITE 2021, Branson shared with the audience that he looked to start a space business 25 years ago when he registered \u201cVirgin Galactic\u201d and somewhat ironically, \u201cVirgin Intergalactic\u201d as [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":56701,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"inline_featured_image":false,"footnotes":"","_links_to":"","_links_to_target":""},"categories":[2],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-56700","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-news"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/starpath.global\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/56700"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/starpath.global\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/starpath.global\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/starpath.global\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/starpath.global\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=56700"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/starpath.global\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/56700\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/starpath.global\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/56701"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/starpath.global\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=56700"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/starpath.global\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=56700"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/starpath.global\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=56700"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}