Josie Enenstein: There are many different companies out there which somehow service the space travel industry. What role do you feel Virgin Galactic plays in the industry? Do you ever partner up with other companies in the field for projects?
George Whitesides: I think what we're really trying to do is to dramatically reduce the cost of space exploration and space travel for many more people. In terms of the number of people able to go to space, we really want to increase that. We have over 600 customers now, and we hope to supply thousands over the coming years. Right now, the total number of people who have ever been to space is less than 600. We think that there is a big opportunity there to radically increase the number of people who have gone to space. Also, in terms of small satellites, we have a small satellite company. We think we have the opportunity to significantly expand the chances for small satellites to go into space by significantly lowering the cost, but also by increasing the number of flights up to space for small satellites. In a way, we want to democratize space; make it open to many more people and uses.
J: What are the current big goals for Virgin Galactic, maybe some which you helped to implement?
GW: We want to begin commercial service with Spaceship 2, which will be a big milestone for us which we hope to do next year. We also want to begin commercial service with our Launcher 1 orbital launch vehicle over the next year, so we have a big year coming up.
J: For all of these exciting happenings in the next coming year, do you have any big publicity initiatives?
GW: With our company, typically when we do something there is a lot of publicity that just comes along with that, so we think there will be a fair amount of coverage once we start doing those flights. I think we will have an opportunity to do that kind of thing once we get further into our test flight program.
J: For you personally, how does it feel to be a prominent figure in a field which is pushing to and beyond the limits of our knowledge?
GW: I always wanted to go into space and do things in space, so it is very gratifying to be able to contribute to that. Not just go to space, but helping other people go to space is really cool.
J: At what age did you first become interested in pursuing a career in this field?
GW: When I was 11, I distinctly remember wanting to go up to space. I think I was in the fifth grade. But even earlier than that, I thought about space a lot, and drew a lot of space pictures. Somewhere in that elementary school timeframe was probably about the moment when I started thinking about it a lot.
J: What is the best part about being the CEO of a space travel company?
GW: The best part is being able to actually have a real contribution; to help to direct things a bit, and to help communicate things as well, to the public and to other businesspeople as well. I really like the communication part and I really like being able to help shape the strategy.
J: Do you have any advice for a high schooler who is interested in pursuing a career in the field of space?
GW: You don't have to be an engineer or a scientist, but it helps because it is a good foundation. But you don't have to. You can get involved from the business side or the communications side. There are a lot of different jobs in terms of space. I would think about what you enjoy doing on a day to day basis, whether that is science or something that is more about engineering, or putting things together and taking them apart; or is it business or strategy, is it communications. Figure out what that is for you. And then when you get to college, you'll major in whatever discipline that you're interested in. But I would say getting involved in clubs: technical clubs or teams, team projects are really great. At college and [Josie's high school] there are a lot of opportunities to make robots or build electric race cars, the different things like that. Those are great ways to get a chance to really get involved in some of this stuff. Employers love that kind of thing because it shows that you've been involved with a team and you know how to work intensely on something. The other thing I would say is get good internships. Network around, talk to different companies. I guess most of my advice is focused on college, but some of those things you can also do at the high school level...And remember to get a good education.