KEN “ROCKET MAN” BAXTER PRESENTS: VIRGIN GALACTIC’S RETURN TO SPACEFLIGHT

Ken Baxter and Sir Richard Branson

Good afternoon dear readers and welcome back to Saturn6!  This is Ken Baxter of Las Vegas and today is Friday, January 8th, 2016.  I wish you a great, prosperous, blissful, healthy, bright, delightful, energetic, and extremely Happy New Year!  As we recently closed the chapter on 2015 and are now entering what promises to be a stellar 2016, I’d like to revisit some defining Virgin Galactic milestones from the last twelve months and take a look towards some exciting moments yet to come.

As you know, I’m honored to be the First Founder and future astronaut of Virgin Galactic, having been the very first to purchase a ticket aboard the commercial space vehicle, SpaceShipTwo.  Back in 2004, as I watched a 60 Minutes news story documenting the Ansari X Prize, it was with considerable excitement that I first heard of Sir Richard Branson’s endeavor in commercial space tourism.  The following Monday, I had my secretary call Virgin Atlantic to get ahold of him.  When Richard called back, I knew I was going to realize my dream of going into outer space.

Over the last twelve years, looking back upon Virgin Galactic’s many successes, it is also impossible to forget its’ most tragic loss.  As you may recall, sadly on October 31^st, 2014 VSS Enterprise broke apart in the air during a powered test flight over California’s Mojave Desert.  Even though the flight began smoothly about two minutes after the plane was released from its mother ship, WhiteKnightTwo, the feathering mechanism deployed too early resulting in what appeared to be an explosion in mid-air; injuring pilot Peter Siebold who was ejected from the plane and fatally wounding co-pilot Michael Alsbury.

It was a horrific day for all those emotionally invested in Virgin Galactic’s mission, not to mention the rest of the world.  It seemed in an instant all hope was lost for the foreseeable future of commercial space travel.  CEO George Whitesides announced in a news conference following the incident, “Space is hard and today was a tough day.”  But Virgin founder, Sir Richard Branson, ever committed though with a heavy heart offered a solemn message, “We do understand the risks involved and we are not going to push on blindly – to do so would be an insult to all those affected by this tragedy.  We are going to learn from what went wrong, discover how we can improve safety and performance and then move forwards together.”  Later, an NTSB investigation determined the crash was due to human error and could have potentially been avoided with more rigorous testing, training, and careful design.  The contribution and sacrifice of the two test pilots will never be forgotten and was not made in vain.

After several months and much anticipation, January 2015 introduced newfound hope and a new beginning for the Virgin Galactic space venture.  Following the demise of the first iteration of SpaceShipTwo (VSS Enterprise), Sir Richard Branson and partner The Spaceship Company, announced that development of a second SpaceShipTwo, nicknamed VSS Voyager, was underway.  In a blog posted on Virgin Galactic’s website in mid-January, Sir Richard shared an extraordinary video documenting round the clock efforts to rebuild and re-launch Virgin’s space line; a glorious achievement considering the hardships they strove to overcome.

In February, Virgin Galactic again made headlines when Branson announced the development of LauncherOne – a program to launch small satellites into space and expected to debut in 2016.  The two-stage orbital launch vehicle is crafted to send commercial and governmental satellites weighing 500 pounds or less into space.  Much like SpaceShipTwo, LauncherOne was designed to be sent aloft from WhiteKnightTwo, giving customers the ability to avoid crowded, expensive launch ranges at its prime Long Beach Airport location along the Southern California coast.

With the development of LauncherOne flourishing nicely and the six month anniversary of VSS Enterprise’s 55^th and final test flight now behind them, Virgin announced a major landmark for the latest SpaceShipTwo in mid-May.   “Weight on Wheels” as it’s known in the aerospace industry, meant the space craft was finally lowered onto its landing gear for the very first time; an important step indicating the ship could now be fitted with its avionics and electrical systems and move ever forward towards its goal of commercial space flight.

As we’ve come to understand the importance and significance of all the incremental technical and mechanical advances contributing to such an enormous undertaking as human space tourism, we must also recognize the extraordinary bravery and skill necessary to safely guide not only the space planes but the passengers aboard.  On June 9^th, 2015, Virgin Galactic and Chief Pilot Dave Mackay introduced us to the elite pilots tasked with this immeasurable feat.  Mike Masucci, Frederick “CJ” Sturckow, Mark Stucky, and Todd Ericson, along with another pilot announced later in November, Col. Kelly Latimer – all with considerable military, commercial, and test flight experience ranging from F-16’s to the Space Shuttle. These capable professionals will forge the way for safe testing of Virgin Galactic’s SpaceShipTwo and well beyond.

Later in the month of June, another strategic advance was made for LauncherOne, which signed a contract with OneWeb, a company striving to provide affordably priced internet connectivity to the world by eventually orbiting a constellation of 720 satellites capable of reaching hundreds of millions of users; even those residing in places without existing internet access. Virgin Galactic has been hired to perform 39 satellite launches and an option for 100 more, marking the possibility of a truly global internet.  Several months later, in October 2015, LauncherOne won another prized contract; this time with NASA, which will send more than a dozen satellites into orbit for America’s space program.

Nearing the end of 2015, Virgin Galactic eagerly welcomed the most recent edition to the Virgin Galactic fleet with the introduction of “Cosmic Girl”, a former Virgin Atlantic commercial 747 jet aircraft now dedicated wholly to the advancement in satellite launching technology facilitated by LauncherOne through its mission to open space for the benefit of life on Earth.  Due to the high levels of demand on WhiteKnightTwo, Branson and his Virgin Galactic team soon realized that one carrier aircraft would not be enough to provide the best, most flexible service to its commercial passengers and business clients, therefore making the new addition an obvious choice.

In the New Year, as Virgin Galactic’s First Founders continue to wait patiently for their chance at an unparalleled view of Earth from outer space, we are set to witness another monumental advance towards the realization of our dream – the unveiling of the completed SpaceShipTwo 2.0!  Virgin Galactic, Sir Richard Branson, and the Astronaut Relations Team will host an exclusive and much anticipated event to roll out and christen the newly completed vehicle at the Mojave Air and Space Port in California on February 19^th.  Also expected to attend is the great theoretical physicist and cosmologist, Stephen Hawking.  Branson has honored Professor Hawking with the only gifted ticket aboard the space ship; recognizing his considerable contribution to science and his continued enthusiasm and advocacy for the democratization of accessing outer space for the benefit of our planet.

I certainly can’t wait to see what the coming months will hold for Virgin Galactic and for all the future astronauts.  Keep checking back at http://www.rocketmanlv.com to keep up on the latest updates from your Virgin Galactic First Founder “Rocket Man” Ken Baxter!  I’ll be sharing more very soon, including the new name for SpaceShipTwo, following the February unveiling.  Cheers everyone – here’s to an extraordinary 2016!

 

With very best wishes,

Ken “Rocket Man” Baxter

www.kenbaxter.com

 

Photo: Ken Baxter, First Founder of Virgin Galactic, with Sir Richard Branson, Founder of Virgin Galactic

Created by: Ken Baxter

Blog Written by:  Jennifer Acevedo as told by Ken Baxter

Disclaimer:  All ideas, concepts, and opinions, express or implied within this blog are the ideas, concepts, and opinions of Ken Baxter and as such, remain the sole property of Ken Baxter.  We have done our best to make sure this information is accurate; any misrepresentation is purely coincidental.  Any reliance you place on such information is therefore strictly at your own risk.

SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT: KEN BAXTER SUPPORTS SIR RICHARD BRANSON AND VIRGIN GALACTIC AFTER SPACESHIPTWO TRAGEDY IN MOJAVE

Ken Baxter with Virgin Galactic’s VSS Enterprise prior to crash

Good morning dear readers and welcome back to kenbaxter.com. I am Ken Baxter of Las Vegas and today is Monday, November 17^th, 2014.  It is with deep sorrow that I relay the sad news of Virgin Galactic’s VSS Enterprise demise in the Mojave Desert on Friday, October 31^st, 2014.  My best wishes and deepest sympathies go out to the Virgin Galactic and Scaled Composites family and to Sir Richard Branson, founder and fearless leader of the Virgin Galactic team, as well as to the pilots and their families during this tragic event.

On that fateful Friday morning, the SpaceShipTwo sub-orbital space craft, VSS Enterprise, suffered a catastrophic in-flight breakup after co-pilot Michael Alsbury allegedly unlocked a moveable tail mechanism too early in the flight test, causing the feathering system, or air-braking descent device, to fail as it was uncommanded. While pilot error and possibly other factors may have contributed to the destruction of VSS Enterprise, it is clear that the testing of its new hybrid rocket engine with a specially developed rubber-based rocket fuel was not the cause of the accident.  Shortly after the crash, the engine and propellant tanks were recovered intact, indicating there was no explosion from either component.

Many further tests and investigations will be needed to determine the absolute cause of the crash, but for those of us emotionally invested in the success of SpaceShipTwo’s test flights, the answer is neither here nor there. It was simply an accident which could not be foreseen.  Despite all of Virgin Galactic’s best efforts to maintain the safety and efficacy of its systems, some incidents are simply unpredictable.  We can only move forward and learn from the events that led to the accident.

As First Founder, I want to personally thank and support the pilots for their bravery and selflessness in commanding the space vehicle during repeated test flights to prevent tragedies such as this one from happening to future passengers. The pilot of VSS Enterprise, Peter Siebold, survived the crash with serious injuries after successfully releasing himself from the straps of his seat followed by immediate automatic deployment of his parachute. Tragically, co-pilot Michael Alsbury, was unable to make it out of the crash alive.  We are forever grateful for his ultimate sacrifice.

While air travel in general does not come without risks, space travel can be significantly more risky and requires more thoughtful consideration due to its relative modernity and obvious, inherent dangers. Much like the Wild West of the late 1700’s to mid 1800’s, the race to commercial space travel has yet to be conquered. It is the new Frontier, not only for America but for countries all over the world.  Many private companies are vying for opportunities that abound in the outer limits.  Whether their purpose is to shorten flights from one continent to the next, to provide passengers with the ability to achieve weightlessness and view the Earth from above, or to deliver supplies to established space stations, a whole new realm of possibilities are available with the introduction of commercial space travel.  Yet, they may not be attained as easily or quickly as anticipated.

Tragically, just days before the VSS Enterprise crash, the unmanned Antares rocket loaded with almost 5,000 pounds of supplies and bound for the International Space Station, exploded moments after liftoff from NASA’s Wallops Flight Facility in Virginia. Built and launched by Orbital Sciences, a competitor of Elon Musk’s SpaceX team, the rocket fell swiftly back to Earth in a fiery ball causing all the supplies and the rocket ship to be destroyed. Thankfully, no injuries or fatalities occurred due to the catastrophic failure of the ship.

In the aftermath of the Virgin Galactic crash, many news and radio reporters have requested interviews from me; wondering why or how I could still want to be an astronaut and especially with Virgin Galactic. My answer to those questions can be read in my ABC News article: http://www.newsnet5.com/news/national/first-man-to-buy-ticket-to-space-undaunted. The plain and simple truth is, even in light of the misfortunes of the immediate past, space travel will continue to be a dream of mine.

I want the world to know and to understand that people like me are not going to give up. If you truly believe in something, despite any kind of setback, you push forward and make the dream a reality.  And so it shall be with my upcoming flight on Virgin Galactic’s second SpaceShipTwo.  Though the flight will not be on the maiden voyage of VSS Enterprise, another space plane in the series is under construction, scheduled to be completed in 2015.  Dubbed VSS Voyager, test flights are anticipated for next summer and with the experience of the first ship’s crash under their belts, safer and more reliable equipment and even stricter test requirements will be at the top of Virgin Galactic’s list.

As you know, Sir Richard and his family will be the very first passengers to take the sub-orbital space flight once testing is completed. There is not a doubt in my mind that he will make sure to have every component of the space vehicle triple checked and tested for safety before any passengers are allowed to board the ship.  I for one will not be requesting a refund of the very first purchased ticket to outer space and I am very much looking forward to seeing Earth from up above.  I will remain the first space tourist with Virgin Galactic and hopefully many of the First Founders will join me in resolutely supporting the onward progress of Virgin Galactic’s mission!

On a final note, I wish the best of luck to Sir Richard and Virgin Galactic. To your continued progress and swift recovery from this tragic event; may VSS Voyager carry us all safely to the stars above in the year ahead.

With very best wishes,

Ken “Rocket Man” Baxter

www.kenbaxter.com

 

Photo: Ken Baxter with Virgin Galactic’s VSS Enterprise prior to crash

Created by: Ken Baxter

Blog Written by: Jennifer Acevedo as told by Ken Baxter

Disclaimer:  All ideas, concepts, and opinions, express or implied within this news post are the ideas, concepts, and opinions of Ken Baxter and as such, remain the sole property of Ken Baxter.  We have done our best to make sure this information is accurate; any misrepresentation is purely coincidental.  Any reliance you place on such information is therefore strictly at your own risk.