Among the dignitaries witnessing the signing, Richard Branson, founder, Virgin Group, commented, "This partnership could see Virgin Galactic launch the first person in history into space from Italian soil - and in fact from any European territory."
Specifically, the agreement envisions a dedicated space vehicle system, built by Virgin Galactic’s sister enterprise The Spaceship Company, being positioned at the future Grottaglie Spaceport, which will integrate significant technological and industrial contribution from Sitael and the rest of Italian Aerospace industry, pending regulatory approvals.
The space vehicle would be utilised by customers like the Italian Space Agency as a science platform for high-frequency space research, as well as private individuals to experience space.
