PRE TEST FLIGHT ROLL OUT OF WHITEKNIGHTTWO The Press and special guests took the early call and gathered early at the Flight Path Museum, LAX's old Terminal 5, for an introduction to the day by VG's Commercial Director, Stephen Attenborough, followed by a welcome from David Cush, CEO of the new US domestic airline, Virgin America. Not only was Virgin America providing the transport to Mojave, but David also announced some exciting news on collaboration between the two companies, particularly for members of Virgin America's frequent flyer EleVAte programme. After a quick wake up coffee the boarding announcement was made and Press and VIP guests climbed aboard the stunning new Airbus A320 which was specially chartered from Virgin America, the youngest and most efficient US domestic airline and named – "My Other Ride's a Spaceship!" in honor of the occasion. It was a short flight and a busy one as guests watched a special movie about Virgin Galactic and Virgin America on the state-of-the-art in-flight entertainment system, before landing safely at Mojave's spectacular desert spaceport. The passengers were then seated in the hanger where the original launch aircraft, WhiteKnightOne sat, as though itself waiting to witness the launch of its successor! After welcomes from George Whitesides, VG's Senior Advisor, and Stuart Witt, Manager of Mojave Air and Spaceport, Will Whitehorn, Virgin Galactic's President, provided a full update on the project and the WK2 build , "WK2 has a unique heavy lift, high altitude capability and an open architecture driven design which provides for maximum versatility in the weight, mass and volume of its payload potential. WK2 also has the power, strength and maneuverability to provide for pre space-flight, positive and zero G force training and as a scientific research and experimentation platform." Bob Morgan, Lead Engineer on the WK2 build, took the platform and praised the hard work and the team work of the Scaled engineers and described the culture of the company that allowed innovation to go hand in hand with safety. Jonathan Firth, VG Project Director, then joined Bob on stage for what everyone had been waiting for. As crackling soundtracks from previous historic space flights filled the hanger and the background music rose to a crescendo, the countdown began.... 10, 9, 8,7,6,5,4,3,2,1...... then the button was pushed and the curtain which was stretched over the huge hanger doors was instantly dropped to reveal the huge WK2 in all her Virgin Galactic glory complete with Sir Richard Branson and Burt Rutan waving from the cockpit windows. To a standing ovation and against a bright blue sky, the impressive craft gleamed in the bright Californian sunlight. The Virgin America plane with its huge red fin, stood as an impressive backdrop. Once the photographers and film crews had had their pictures, Sir Richard and Burt came down the steps and took the floor, sitting immediately in front of the newly revealed vehicle – it was hard to imagine a more dramatic and awe inspiring setting for a press conference. Sir Richard took the microphone initially and with the broadest of smiles and a gleam in his eye told the audience, "As usual, Burt and the Scaled team have created a beauty and this is a very proud day for us all. The rollout of WhiteKnightTwo takes the Virgin Galactic vision to the next level and continues to provide tangible evidence that this most ambitious of projects is not only for real but is making tremendous progress towards our goal of safe commercial operation. Virgin Galactic is central to our ambition at Virgin to become the world's leading group in the operation of energy and environmentally efficient transportation in the air, on the ground and in space. You arrived here this morning on an aircraft operated by Virgin America who run the most fuel efficient commercial fleet in the US, to roll out what by most definitions, is the most energy efficient aircraft in history. We are naming it EVE after my Mother, Eve Branson but also because it represents a first and a new beginning, the chance for our ever growing group of future astronauts and other scientists and payload specialists to see our world in a completely new light. I for one can't wait!" Burt Rutan, looking fit and strong, took great pride in telling the press and guests how much this day meant to him. "WhiteKnightTwo represents the apogee of the application of carbon composites to aerospace and all of us at Scaled are tremendously excited at the capabilities of the Mothership for SpaceShipTwo. I believe the vehicle will be developed and sold for a variety of launch applications beyond the initial requirements of our launch customer, Virgin Galactic. We have set up a new business jointly with Virgin, The Spaceship Company, to develop this vehicle and we very much hope that its efficiency will herald a wake up call to the aerospace industry and the necessity of using new materials and technologies in the future". Will Whitehorn, Stephen Attenborough and Bob Morgan joined Sir Richard and Burt for an enthusiastic Q and A session which was rounded off with Richard inviting his mother Eve up to join him. Taking his mother by the hand, Sir Richard and Burt led Eve to the Mothership where she was handed a bottle of Galactic champagne to launch the new stunning WK2 and to christen her 'Mothership Eve' . To cheers from the guests and press, the cork was popped, champagne sprayed high into the air and Eve was officially born. Virgin America flew for a second time to Mojave later the same day carrying a precious cargo of 120 Virgin Galactic customers for a private and exclusive viewing of the new vehicle with Sir Richard and Burt along with members of the Virgin Galactic and Scaled teams. The day ended in true Virgin style with a big celebratory party at the beautiful home of one of our future astronauts with music and dancing long into the night. VIRGIN MOTHERSHIP EVE. THE TECH-SPEC Status of construction Structurally complete and ready for test programme Undergoing final system, ground test and verification Will be the largest 100% carbon composite plane in service (Boeing 787 Dreamliner uses composite materials for about 50% of its primary structure) Twin boom / fuselage construction Propulsion & Power 4 x Pratt & Whitney PW308 engines. Member of PW300 series engines used on corporate and regional jets such as Eclipse 500 Gear Quadricycle gear configuration, retractable Dimensions Wing span: 140ft (only 16ft less than Boeing 767-300) Length: 78ft Tail height: 25ft Performance SS2 Ferry range: U.S. coast to coast Capability A training vehicle for SS2 spaceflight – can simulate SpaceShipTwo G force profile Both cabins replicate SS2 interior Unique high altitude lift aircraft for various payloads For more information and to register your interest in flying with us, or just for updates on progress, you can visit the website at www.virgingalactic.com.