Virgin Galactic Unveiling Mission Control For Space Tourism

Spaceport America is no longer just a shiny shell of hope that space tourism would one day launch from this remote spot in the New Mexico desert.

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The once-empty hangar that anchors the taxpayer-financed launch and landing facility has been transformed into a custom-tailored headquarters where Virgin Galactic will run its commercial flight operations.

Two levels within the futuristic building include mission control, a preparation area for pilots and a lounge for paying customers and their friends and families. Company officials offered the first glimpse this week.

There’s also space behind two massive sliding doors that can accommodate two of Virgin Galactic’s carrier planes and a fleet of its sixpassenger rocket ships.