A unmanned US plane on a top-secret, two-year mission to space has returned to Earth and landed in California.
The aircraft, resembling a miniature space shuttle and known as the Orbital Test Vehicle or X-37B, spent 674 days in orbit around the planet.
Pictures released by the 30th Space Wing show it touching down at Vandenberg Air Force Base on Friday morning.
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NEW MEXICO, United States, Friday July 18, 2014 - Virgin Galactic has taken another step towards launching tourists into space with the announcement of its hotel partner for prospective travellers.
Virgin has chosen Hotel Encanto de Las Cruces in New Mexico for the well-heeled passengers who will fork-out £120,000 per person to experience the out-of-this-world flights from Spaceport America.
Virgin Galactic also announced a contract with World Class Gourmet of Las Cruces to provide catering for travellers during their pre-space flight training at Spaceport and said it is relocating more staff to New Mexico and will soon be hiring locally.
The US$209 million futuristic Spaceport America was built by the state for Virgin Galactic founder Sir Richard Branson as the launch site for his trailblazing flights. The project has nevertheless been plagued by delays and has long overshot its original late 2010 deadline.
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Virgin is now hoping to begin operations by the end of this year, although its public relations agency said in a statement that the schedule “will ultimately be dictated by safety and readiness — as has always been the case.”
Spaceport America is about 60 miles from Las Cruces, near the town of Truth or Consequences, and about 182 miles from Albuquerque. But even the state’s largest city lacks a five-star hotel.
As part of its partnership with Virgin/Spaceport, Hotel de Encanto will spend several million dollars on upgrades, which will include the creation of “Executive Suite VIP Wings” with concierge service, private VIP areas, customized room service menus, upgraded rooms and suites, and other improvements that should boost its AAA rating from three to four diamonds.
“By partnering with Hotel Encanto de Las Cruces and World Class Gourmet, we further our vision of investing in the local New Mexico community while we define the Virgin Galactic astronaut experience,” said Virgin Galactic CEO George Whitesides.
“Future astronauts will come from around the world to New Mexico, so it’s important that they experience the outstanding local offerings and character as part of their experience.”
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The Urban Development Corporation (UDC), has declared its intention to continue acquiring historic and derelict buildings in downtown Kingston and restore them.
According to Desmond Malcolm, General Manager of the UDC, the plan is to refurbish these buildings as part of a drive to develop more office space to attract businesses and government offices.
Malcolm, speaking at a recent JIS “Think Tank,” explained that the UDC will either refurbish the buildings or seek developers to rehabilitate them. This strategy, he said, should also take advantage of the low real estate prices now prevailing in the market.
He also said the UDC’s initiatives support the work of Kingston Restoration Company (KRC), which is an urban regeneration agency, that has spearheaded the restoration of several historic buildings in the city.
Cultural Centre
The UDC recently received the Jamaica Architects’ Award for Excellence in remodelling/refurbishing, for its work on the Simon Bolivar Cultural Centre at North Parade and Church Street in downtown Kingston.
The Corporation acted as project manager, by preparing architectural drawings; obtaining the necessary approvals; and overseeing the construction of the centre.
“It is a spectacular building and will certainly add a lot of benefit to the Parade area,” Mr. Malcolm declared.
The historic Ward Theatre in downtown Kingston, which is located next to the Simon Bolivar Cultural Centre, is also receiving technical support from the UDC.
Mr. Malcolm said although the Corporation does not have responsibility for the Ward Theatre, it will provide support.
“So, the plan is to upgrade Love Lane… so that the entire corridor will be rehabilitated,” he said.
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