The two parties announced an agreement to collaborate in future, manned space technology. In particular, NASA confirms its willingness to make available to Virgin Galactic the unique capabilities and world class facilities within the NASA Ames Research Centre in California.

The Memorandum of Understanding is exploratory in nature; it deals primarily with future technology cooperation and does not include, for example, any agreement to carry NASA astronauts on Virgin Galactic vehicles

The major benefits of this agreement are likely to emerge in the technologies that evolve out of Virgin Galactic's current sub-orbital project, but it is of immediate significance for the following reasons:

This is a first and formal recognition of the mutual respect and close relationship that has developed between NASA and Virgin Galactic.

It is a ringing endorsement for the emerging commercial manned space industry and for Virgin Galactic in particular from the world's premier space agency.

The access to NASA Ames' capabilities and facilities further strengthens Virgin Galactic's leading market position and will support its twin objectives of safety and commercial viability. This is good news not just for Virgin Galactic but for our customers, our suppliers and for the industry as a whole.

SPACEPORT SWEDEN
 
Spaceport Sweden signed an agreement with Virgin Galactic that will give future customers the opportunity to fly from a European base. The official inauguration of Spaceport Sweden took place at Kiruna Airport on Friday 26th January 2006 and was attended by Mrs. Maud Olofsson, Minister for Enterprise Energy as well as Deputy Prime Minister of Sweden. Virgin Galactic held the Press Conference in front of the conceptual interior of SS2 and thrilled the attending media and politicians with a series of presentations, DVDs followed by a dynamic question and answer session.

The agreement allows the parties to work together on an initial study on the regulatory and operational requirements for launching the Virgin Galactic Spaceships on suborbital flights from Spaceport Sweden. The goal is that the study will result in an operational agreement whereby Spaceport Sweden would be the first spaceport outside the United States which Virgin Galactic can use for flight campaigns. Areas of work to be developed include scientific confirmation of the possibility of operating the first ever spaceflights into the Aurora Borealis (The Northern Lights) and payload deployment and scientific experiments from Spaceport Sweden.

The conditions at Spaceport Sweden are ideal, using the combined expertise of several Kiruna-based Swedish companies whose successful development has earned them international respect: the Swedish Space Corporation (SSC), ICEHOTEL, LFV Group (Kiruna Airport) and Kiruna's business-development company Progressum. Their reputation for service consistently attracts attention with regards to aerospace operations, testing and tourism.

"Spaceport Sweden is very interesting for us thanks to their expertise in space technology and innovative thinking, as well as the fact that Kiruna can offer unique experiences such as the northern lights and the ICEHOTEL during winter and the midnight sun during summer" said Mr. Will Whitehorn, President of Virgin Galactic.

Virgin Galactic has already signed their first Swedish customer who will become Sweden's second astronaut, first space tourist and potentially the first Swede flying into space from Swedish ground. Mr Bengt Söderqvist was born in 1938 in Tvärskog, a small village near Kalmar in southern Sweden. He has lived on the Turks and Caicos Island (southwest of the Bahamas) for many years, where he has been working as a surveyor for a pioneer development company since 1966.

"When I understood that I had the chance to see the Earth from space myself, I took that chance and here I am", stated Mr Söderqvist.

The first flight from Spaceport Sweden will take place after Virgin Galactic has established regular commercial operations in the United States and agreed the necessary procedures to both export the technology and approvals to operate in Swedish airspace. Thereafter space trips from Kiruna can start.

The first purpose built commercial spaceport is currently being developed in New Mexico and has already signed an agreement with Virgin Galactic as a launch customer. "Spaceport Sweden is additional confirmation of the worldwide interest and commitment to commercial space travel," said Rick Homans, cabinet secretary for economic development in the State of New Mexico. "While Spaceport America in New Mexico will be Virgin's world headquarters and primary operating base, having a global network of spaceports for showcase launches will allow Virgin to expand its business and, therefore, help to support the commercial operations here in New Mexico. Spaceport America welcomes Spaceport Sweden and looks forward to a strong partnership in the years to come," Mr. Homans concluded.

"Kiruna has been involved in space business since almost 50 years, and the town has evolved to a recognized Space City on the world map", said Dr. Olle Norberg, Head of Esrange Space Center (SSC) and Spaceport Sweden. "To take new steps into the future of space activities is very natural for us and we very much look forward to work together with Virgin Galactic and Spaceport America", Dr. Norberg concluded.