This weekend I sat down with researchers planning an experimental mission on SpaceShip Two. They were winding up a weeklong tour of the three NASA facilities in California where they engaged in discussions about flying a research mission with Virgin Galactic. The purpose for this mission is to extend the period of microgravity from the 8-12 second blocks, now available on the ZERO-G aircraft, to 4-8 minutes that will be available to thrill seekers and researchers alike in the next few years. SpaceShip Two flies a sub-orbital flight lasting about 2 ½ hours, only a short time of which is in space. CES will provide the electrical engineering support to make their mission a success.
