Prototype Model Of World's First Tourist Spacecraft

To celebrate the rapid advances in space travel"Å¡ the Science Museum is showcasing a conceptual mock-up cabin of the world's first ever vehicle for space tourism - the Virgin Galactic SpaceShipTwo - which is going on show in the UK for the first time.

Designed by British firm Seymour Powell"Å¡ the nine metre mock-up of the passenger cabin gives visitors a taste of a unique vehicle which combines the technology of an aeroplane with a rocket and is predicted to take tourists into space from as early as 2009.

The stylish prototype will be on display from Wednesday 14 until Friday 23 February in the Antenna science news gallery at the Science Museum.

Press Launch and Photocall

When: Wednesday 14 February - 9.30-11.30am

Where: Antenna science news gallery"Å¡ Science Museum"Å¡ Exhibition Road"Å¡ London SW7 2DD

What: Photo opportunity of visitors sitting inside the mock-up of the cabin of the Virgin Galactic SpaceShipTwo"Å¡ the first ever vehicle for space tourism which is being put on display by curators at the Science Museum"Å¡ London.

Virgin Spokespeople:

Susan Newsam"Å¡ Vice President Marketing and Promotion

Jan Boehm"Å¡ Marketing Production Co Ordinator

Dr.Julia Tizard"Å¡ Medical and Training

Visitors will be able to view inside the nine metre long mock-up of the seated spacecraft cabin and gain an amazing insight into the experience of being one of the first non-professional astronaut travellers to embark on a leisure cruise into space.

Experts from Virgin Galactic will be on hand to answer questions from visitors and give presentations to visitors over half-term on hot topics such as gravity"Å¡ weightlessness"Å¡ G-Force"Å¡ the principles of space flights and rocket science as well as health"Å¡ training and environmental issues. -- www.sciencemuseum.org.uk