Virgin Galactic and the National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) have teamed up to study climate change in the upper atmospheric regions where the space tourism company will fly joy-riding millionauts, The Register reports:
“The company said today it plans to join up with the US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) to carry scientific kit on-board during its test-flight phase to help gather data on climate change.
“Current research aircraft available to the NOAA are limited to an altitude of about 25,000ft (7,600m). Finding a ride able to fly above that height can be a difficult task.
“Virgin Galactic, meanwhile, plans to fling its passenger rocketplanes at an altitude of approximately 50,000 feet (15,151m). The carrier aircraft that will tow Virgin’s SpaceShipTwo crafts to that height is expected to make its first test flights in the coming weeks.”
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