Virgin Galactic is the arm of Virgin Group that is intended to develop commercial space travel. This week, the company's chief, Sir Richard Branson celebrated the completion of Spaceport America, the first commercial purpose-built space port in Upham, N.M.
The spaceport includes a two-mile long runway called the "Governor BIll Richardson Spaceway." It's 42 inches thick and can support every existing type of space craft currently in existence.
"New Mexico is not only helping to launch the commercial spaceflight industry, but we are launching new jobs and opportunities for the people of southern N.M.," Gov. Richardson said in a press release.
The runway was dedicated in a celebration that included Branson, Richardson, about 30 of 380 Virgin Galactic future astronauts who got to see Virgin Galactic's WhiteKnightTwo jet carry the SpaceShip Two in a landing and flyover. The future astronauts are those who have already paid or put down a deposit for the $200,00 trip, a Reuters report said. The company already has deposits for more than $50 million.
"The last few weeks have been some of the most exciting in Virgin Galactic's development," Branson said in the release. "Our spaceship is flying beautifully and will soon be making powered flights, propelled by our new hybrid rocket motor, which is also making excellent progress in its own test program."
Branson said that he plans to be taking passengers into space in nine to 18 months.
President Barack Obama recently signed the NASA Authorization Act of 2010 into effect. It's a bill that appropriates $58.4 billion for NASA programs over the next three years and gives an additional flight to the space shuttle fleet.
updated 11:31 p.m. ET Oct. 24, 2010 GREEN BAY, Wis. - Some Green Bay Packers fans still can't bear the sight of Brett Favre in a Minnesota Vikings uniform. It probably hurt a little bit less after the Packers finally sent him home with a loss. Favre threw three second-half interceptions to his former team and the Packers held on to beat the Vikings 28-24 on Sunday night. Favre appeared to deliver another signature comeback win with an apparent touchdown strike to Percy Harvin with 48 seconds left - but the play was ruled incomplete on a replay review. With one more chance on fourth-and-15 at the 20, Favre threw incomplete out of bounds. Green Bay (4-3) turned a pair of Favre's third-quarter interceptions into touchdowns that erased the Vikings' halftime lead, including a 32-yard return by linebacker Desmond Bishop. It was the ninth interception that was returned for a touchdown in the league on Sunday. Aaron Rodgers was 21 of 34 for 295 yards with two touchdowns and two interceptions. "It's huge," Rodgers said. "It's a great night. The crowd was electric, we needed this win. It's a long season, but we had to have this one." Rodgers threw a pair of costly first-half interceptions - uncharacteristic mistakes for a quarterback known for good decision-making in the red zone. Adrian Peterson rushed for 131 yards for the Vikings (2-4). Favre was 16 of 29 for 212 yards with a touchdown and the three interceptions. getCSS("3053751")
Week 7 action
Morry Gash / AP For the first time since leaving Green Bay, Brett Favre lost to his former team, 28-24. Full storyThe Vikings were called for a false start and a facemask penalty, but Favre then appeared to throw a go-ahead touchdown pass to Harvin and the Vikings began celebrating wildly - but the play was reviewed, and officials ruled Harvin's second foot was out of bounds. Favre then was pressured on the Vikings' last two chances, and his throws were incomplete. Minnesota led 17-14 at halftime, but Favre threw an interception to A.J. Hawk as he was hit hard by linebacker Brad Jones - leaving Favre limping and the Packers in good field position. Rodgers marched the Packers for a 14-yard touchdown strike to Greg Jennings, giving the Packers a 21-17 lead. Favre made an even bigger mistake on the Vikings' next possession. Again under pass rush pressure from a team that failed to sack him in either game last season, Favre threw the ball straight to Bishop - and Bishop ran it back to give the Packers a 28-17 lead. But Favre wasn't finished, hitting on a long gain to Harvin that set up a 4-yard touchdown pass to Moss, cutting the lead to 28-24 with 4:12 left in the third quarter. Running back John Kuhn converted a fourth-and-1 play to keep the Packers' next possession alive, but the drive stalled when the Packers went for it again on fourth-and-inches and Kuhn came up short. Favre drove the Vikings deep into Packers territory in the fourth quarter. But on third-and-7 at the Green Bay 35, Packers safety Nick Collins broke on a pass intended for Harvin and picked it off, ending the Vikings' scoring threat until their final drive came up just short. © 2010 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.