Virgin Galactic Secures Land for New Astronaut Campus and Training Facility
August 02 2022 - 6:45AM
Business Wire
Signature Campus in Sierra County Will Anchor
Curated Customer Journey
Buildout of Campus Planned in Parallel with
Fleet Expansion
Virgin Galactic Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: SPCE) (the “Company” or
“Virgin Galactic”), an aerospace and space travel company, today
announced it has secured land to move forward with a new astronaut
campus and training facility in the State of New Mexico, near the
Company’s commercial operations headquarters.
The land, located in Sierra County, will be home to a new, first
of its kind astronaut campus, for exclusive use by Virgin Galactic
Future Astronauts and up to three of their guests in advance of a
spaceflight from Spaceport America. The master plan for the campus
will include training facilities, purposeful accommodations, and
tailored experiences as well as an observatory, wellness center,
recreation activities, and unique dining options -- all underpinned
by Virgin’s signature hospitality.
Situated near Spaceport America, the campus will sit atop a mesa
overlooking the stunning New Mexico landscape. With a focus on
sustainability and minimal impact to the surrounding environment,
the purpose-driven design of the project will embrace water
conservation and re-use, eco-friendly materials, and low carbon
mobility as key considerations in the development of the site. The
campus is being designed with bold simplicity, function,
innovation, and emotional connectivity at the core, paying homage
to the region’s spectacular natural vistas.
“At Virgin Galactic, the road to space begins in New Mexico, and
we are proud to showcase the state as the launch point for our
unique and unparalleled experience,” said Blair Rich, Virgin
Galactic President & Chief Business Officer, Commercial and
Consumer Operations. “From the point of sale, our Future Astronauts
begin a journey that is curated, high-touch and distinctly Virgin,
which will culminate at the astronaut campus and training facility.
Customers who buy a ticket today will stay and train here, along
with their guests, for five nights. While our Future Astronauts are
completing spaceflight training, their guests will live out a
tailored itinerary of discovery and educational experiences on the
campus and throughout southern New Mexico.”
Conceptual design of the campus has already begun, and Virgin
Galactic plans to complete the build out in parallel with the
expansion and capacity of its fleet in New Mexico. The Company is
committed to continuing its strong track record of engaging local
suppliers. Since 2011, Virgin Galactic has totaled more than $180
million in expenditures in New Mexico, with more than $50 million
of supplies purchased from over 200 different local suppliers. The
Company currently employs more than 200 New Mexico-based employees
and expects that many professional and service roles will be
created to support the high-touch training and hospitality
operations planned at the site.
"I'm thrilled to welcome the next chapter of Virgin Galactic's
continued investment in New Mexico," said Gov. Michelle Lujan
Grisham. "The new astronaut campus in Sierra County will spur
further economic activity for New Mexico, creating more local jobs
and attracting new visitors and spending to the area. New Mexico is
proud to be home to the future of aerospace innovation and space
tourism."
You can download all press materials including images and b-roll
from the Virgin Galactic Press Assets.
About Virgin Galactic Holdings
Virgin Galactic is an aerospace and space travel company,
pioneering human spaceflight for private individuals and
researchers with its advanced air and space vehicles. It is
developing a spaceflight system designed to connect the world to
the wonder and awe created by space travel and to offer customers a
transformative experience. You can find more information at
https://www.virgingalactic.com/
Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains certain forward-looking statements
within the meaning of federal securities laws with respect to
Virgin Galactic Holdings, Inc. (the "Company"), including
statements regarding the Company’s spaceflight systems, markets and
expected flight schedule. These forward-looking statements
generally are identified by words such as “believe,” “project,”
“expect,” “anticipate,” “estimate,” “intend,” “strategy,” “future,”
“opportunity,” “plan,” “may,” “should,” “will,” “would,” and
similar expressions. Forward-looking statements are predictions,
projections and other statements about future events that are based
on current expectations and assumptions and, as a result, are
subject to risks and uncertainties. Many factors could cause actual
future events to differ materially from the forward-looking
statements in this press release, including but not limited to the
factors, risks and uncertainties included in our Annual Report on
Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2021, as such
factors may be updated from time to time in our other filings with
the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC"), accessible on
the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov and the Investor Relations section
of our website at www.virgingalactic.com. These filings identify
and address other important risks and uncertainties that could
cause the Company’s actual events and results to differ materially
from those contained in the forward-looking statements.
Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they are made.
Readers are cautioned not to put undue reliance on forward-looking
statements, and, except as required by law, the Company assumes no
obligation and does not intend to update or revise these
forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information,
future events, or otherwise.
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version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220802005502/en/
For media inquiries: Aleanna Crane - Vice President
Communications Virgingalacticpress@virgingalactic.com
575.800.4422
Jeff Michael – Communications Specialist 661.754.4300
For investor relations: Eric Cerny – Vice President
Investor Relations VG-IR@virgingalactic.com
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