Virgin's Richard Branson recently launched a search for the child who inspired him to later create Virgin Galactic. After a few days, the search was successful and Branson was able to talk to Shihan Musafer after 26 years.
Virgin Galactic is one of the first commercial spaceflight companies. While the company is based in the US, it is owned by Branson's Virgin Group. The company aims to provide commercial suborbital spaceflights for wealthy tourists while also providing space transportation for a variety of science missions. While the company was founded in 2004, the seeds of Virgin Galactic were sown a few decades earlier.
"In 1988 I went on the BBC TV show 'Going Live!' I answered a call from young Shihan Musafer, who asked me: 'Have you ever thought about going into space?' I answered: 'I'd love to go into space, as I think pretty well everybody watching this show would love to go to space. When you see those magnificent pictures in space and the incredible views, I think there could be nothing nicer. So if you're building a spacecraft I'd love to come with you on it.' After that call, I set about registering the name Virgin Galactic," Branson said in a post on Virgin's website.
After almost three decades, Virgin Galactic is close to obtaining its primary goals. The company now owns two suborbital spacecraft and two carrier aircraft. Virgin Galactic's suborbital spacecraft are referred to as SpaceShipTwo while their carriers are called White Knight Two. The company also designed LauncherOne, an orbital launch vehicle that may eventually be used to deliver commercial and scientific payloads into space.
Now, "26 years later, we have built the world's first commercial space line," said Branson. "We are nearing the end of our powered test flight programme, have more than 700 Future Astronauts on board and are incredibly excited about the build-up to our first space flight."
While the company pursues its lofty goals, Branson has not forgotten the events that led to the commercial spaceflight company's current state. Branson launched a search for Shihan Musafer, the child who planted the seeds of what would later become Virgin Galactic.
"Now we have tracked down Shihan to say a personal thank you for helping to inspire the idea with that phone call," Branson said. "We've also offered Shihan the chance to join Virgin Galactic as a VIP guest to witness a spaceflight."
