Virgin Galactic shares were up 2.06 in Monday trading to 17.06 a share (13.73%) at time of writing as the company reached a Space Act Agreement with NASA.Under the pact, Virgin will provide a private orbital astronaut readiness programme.In addition to training private citizen astronauts for ISS missions, the firm will develop a programme to identify candidates interested in purchasing such missions and procure the transportation,on-orbit resources and ground resources required.*
NASA wants to see a robust economy in Low Earth Orbit from which it can purchase services as one of many customers.This economy will ensure national interests for research and development in LEO are fulfilled, while allowing NASA to focus on deep space exploration through the Artemis Moon missions and beyond.
The private ISS activities must meet certain criteria:
1.They must require the unique microgravity environment;
2.They must have a Nexus to the NASA mission or
3. They must support the development of a sustainable LEO economy.
NASA has received five proposals for the programme so far.The agency will make available annually 90 hours of crew time for behind the scenes support of the commercial activities and 175 kilograms of cargo launch capability, and will limit the amount provided to each firm.*
For its part, Virgin Galactic wants to open up its spaceflight training infrastructure to NASA and other agencies.*
Virgin Galactic Holdings Inc (SPCE)
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