* Astronomy

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RE: Virgin Galactic

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Virgin Galactic adds satellite launches to space tourism
Virgin Galactic now plans to launch satellites as well as tourists into space, the company confirmed at this week's International Astronautical Congress in Daejeon, South Korea.

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Emma Morris wins free flight to space
Melbourne publicist Emma Morris has to tell Richard Branson whether she'll accept a free flight to space.
The 27-year-old is the winner of a Virgin Blue competition and has a ticket to blast off in her name.

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Abu Dhabi Spaceport

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RE: Virgin Galactic

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Abu Dhabi Fund Buys Stake in Virgin Galactic
Abu Dhabi's Aabar Investments PJSC said Tuesday it will pay $280 million for a 32% stake in Virgin Group's commercial spaceline, Virgin Galactic, in a move that will advance the oil-rich emirate's plan to become a hub for scientific research and innovation.

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Belfast man to become spaceman
He spent his childhood staring at the stars from the back-yard of his home in Belfast, and now Nigel Henbest is going to be the first person from Northern Ireland to visit them, albeit briefly.
He is shelling out US$200,000 to be a passenger on Virgin Galactic, the world's first commercial spaceline.

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Successful Spaceshiptwo Rocket Motor Testing
Virgin Galactic today announces the successful completion of the first phase of tests of the rocket motor that will propel space tourists, scientists and payloads into space.
In the desert of southern California, Virgin Galactic's key supplier Scaled Composites and its subcontractor SNC (Sierra Nevada Corporation) have successfully completed the first tests of the innovative rocket motor that will propel space tourists, scientists and payloads into space. The hybrid Nitrous Oxide system being used is the largest of its kind in the world and it will send Virgin's customers up into sub-orbital space at speeds over 2500 mph (4000kmh), to heights over 65 miles (110km) above the Earths surface, before the spaceship descends back down through the atmosphere using its pioneering feathered re-entry system.

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Virgin Galactic: 'Getting into space has a very low environmental impact'

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Virgin Galactic, an affiliate of the giant Virgin Group owned by Richard Branson, has begun promoting to Korean customers its future private space travel program that will hopefully start next year.
With some 300 people worldwide, including renowned professor Stephen Hawking, having made reservations, Virgin Galactic is already prepared to offer commercial space trips, which have so far been confined to astronauts.
Last week, Virgin Galactic officials said Korea is also an attractive market target for them due to the love for travel here, plus the relatively high standard of wealth.

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