Virgin Galactic announced on Tuesday a new partnership with NASA that aims to Development of high-speed point-to-point technologies. The Space Act agreement is designed to promote cooperation between NASA, Virgin Galactic and their subsidiary The Spaceship Company to support US efforts to “manufacture high-tech, high-tech vehicles for potential civilian applications,” a press release said.
Virgin Galactic hopes to work with its industrial partners to develop a vehicle for safe and efficient high-speed air travel. The efforts focus on sustainability.
“This is the beginning of an important partnership for Virgin Galactic and The Spaceship Company that will support the future development of aviation technology,” said George Whitesides, CEO of Virgin Galactic Holdings, in a statement.
“Virgin Galactic’s unique experience and innovative technology platform, in conjunction with the historical capabilities of NASA and other government agencies, will enable new technological advances to be developed that will enhance US competitiveness,” said Whitesides. “We see this as an area with tremendous growth potential in which we will continue to invest alongside our commercial space.”
James Kenyon, director of NASA’s Aeronautics Advanced Air Vehicles Program, said the agreement will enable organizations to apply new techniques and technologies from the past 50 years and “explore potential new solutions for the commercial aviation industry”.