Sir Richard "Virgin Galactic" Branson, announced, according to Portugal News, in his visit to Portugal that this country, my country, Europe's oldest nation, from where the navigators departed 6 centuries ago to give "new worlds to the world", can become be an ideal venue to build a “spaceport”. While Branson said he was considering the idea of a Portuguese space centre, he added any additonal progress would only be discussed in four years time.
The founder of Virgin Galactic also admitted that discussions have already taken place with Portuguese authorities concerning the development of a space centre.
The centre would be similar to the one already under construction in New Mexico in the United States, from where space tourists, including, so far, five Portuguese nationals, will fly to space sometime between the end of 2010 and during 2011.
To date, five Portuguese nationals have purchased a ticket to fly to space on a Virgin Galactic flight.
Portuguese Minister of Economy, Manuel Pinho, was caugth by surprise with Branson's announcement , but added that this opportunity “hold the view that Portugal is a country of potential”.
The founder of Virgin Galactic also admitted that discussions have already taken place with Portuguese authorities concerning the development of a space centre.
The centre would be similar to the one already under construction in New Mexico in the United States, from where space tourists, including, so far, five Portuguese nationals, will fly to space sometime between the end of 2010 and during 2011.
To date, five Portuguese nationals have purchased a ticket to fly to space on a Virgin Galactic flight.
Portuguese Minister of Economy, Manuel Pinho, was caugth by surprise with Branson's announcement , but added that this opportunity “hold the view that Portugal is a country of potential”.
After a press conference held in Lisbon, after which he made the announcement, Branson travelled to Portugal's northern capital, where he visited and inaugurated Caminho das Estrelas, a travel agency which has the exclusive rights in Portugal to sell Virgin Galactic products and that is managed by Mário Ferreira who will be the first Portuguese travelling to space.
Wait for further developments, I need to know more details about this... :-)
0 comments:
Post a Comment