Join Caltech Management Association for Virgin Orbit Tour
A VIP Tour of Virgin Orbit for CMA Members
Date: Saturday, February 23, 2019
Place: Virgin Orbit, 4022 E. Conant Street, Long Beach
Times:
Group 1—10 am to noon
Group 2—1:30 pm to 3:30 pm
The Caltech Management Association (CMA) has arranged a tour of Virgin Orbit's high-tech factory for CMA members and their guests. Because of space limitations, the tour participants will be selected by lottery. Please consider joining CMA and entering the lottery for a chance to go!
The tour offers the opportunity to meet the people behind Virgin Galactic's sister company and hear about their plans for the future of small-satellite launches. Founded by Sir Richard Branson, Virgin Orbit aims to launch small satellites into Earth orbit by using a 70-foot carbon-fiber rocket attached to a modified 747 jumbo jet that serves as a flying launchpad.
The company recently completed their first successful "captive carry" test flight, during which the rocket remained attached to the plane. A number of such flights are planned. The next step will be a drop test, in which the rocket is released in flight from the plane but does not ignite its engine, instead falling to the Mojave Desert floor. Following the drop test, barring any technical setbacks, Virgin Orbit will attempt the first orbital flight of the rocket in 2019.
Participation in the tour is limited to CMA members and their guests who are U.S. citizens. Lottery winners can each invite one guest. Tour start times will be determined by lottery and will not be picked by the selected CMA members.
To participate, you must complete the two steps below:
1) Apply for FY19 membership before entering the lottery. If you haven't already renewed, or you are a new member, go to https://cma.sites.caltech.edu/become-member for the form and procedure, including membership fee payment. Because of annual membership renewals, all FY18 members and non-members must complete this step. Membership is open to all active and retired employees of Caltech and to contract employees as affiliate members.
2) By Thursday, February 14, register for the lottery at
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSe7ymS8IIpcGn9nCyJttyjpAmF0OE6SaWOXE37hxzUlGUKcgA/viewform
Enter your name and email address, and indicate whether you will be bringing a guest. Members who have been in CMA longer than one year will have multiple chances to win, based on the number of current years of continuous CMA membership (up to five chances). So, for example, new members will have one chance to win while those with five years, or more, of continuous CMA membership will be entered five times in the lottery.
Lottery participants will be notified of the winners via e-mail at the end of the day on Thursday, February 21.
If you have questions, please contact:
• For general event and membership information, Dan Goods at [email protected].
• For lottery and membership information, Randii Wessen at [email protected].