The Economy

Spaceship Co. Breaks Ground on Assembly Hangar in California

Nov. 12, 2010

Facility also will serve as the new company's operating headquarters.

The Spaceship Co. (TSC) recently broke ground for its new final assembly, integration and test hangar at Mojave Air & Space Port.

The new building, a 68,000-square-foot, clear-span, 737-sized hangar including offices, will serve as TSC's operating headquarters once complete. It will be used primarily for the final assembly, integration and testing of TSC's vehicles before they enter service, according to the company.

TSC is a new aerospace production company, founded by Sir Richard Branson's Virgin Group and Scaled Composites, a subsidiary of Northrop Grumman Corp. TSC's mission is to build the fleet of SpaceShipTwos and WhiteKnightTwos for its customer, Virgin Galactic.

The new building in Mojave is sized to support the production of two WhiteKnightTwos and at least two SpaceShipTwos in parallel and has been designed to meet LEED standards, according to the company.

"[The] groundbreaking of TSC's new hangar is another significant milestone in developing Virgin Galactic's commercial spaceflight operations-following on from recent achievements including the maiden and second-glide flights of SpaceShipTwo and the dedication of Spaceport America's runway in New Mexico," said George Whitesides, CEO of Virgin Galactic and TSC.

About the Author

Josh Cable | Former Senior Editor

Former Senior Editor Josh Cable covered innovation issues -- including trends and best practices in R&D, process improvement and product development. He also reported on the best practices of the most successful companies and executives in the world of transportation manufacturing, which encompasses the aerospace, automotive, rail and shipbuilding sectors.

Josh also led the IndustryWeek Manufacturing Hall of Fame, IW’s annual tribute to the most influential executives and thought leaders in U.S. manufacturing history.

Before joining IndustryWeek, Josh was the editor-in-chief of Penton Media’s Government Product News and Government Procurement. He also was an award-winning beat reporter for several small newspapers in Northeast Ohio.

Josh received his BFA in creative writing from Bowling Green University, and continued his professional development through course-work at Ohio University and Cuyahoga Community College.

A lifelong resident of the Buckeye State, Josh currently lives in the Tremont neighborhood of Cleveland. When the weather cooperates, you’ll find him riding his bike to work, exercising his green thumb in the backyard or playing ultimate Frisbee.