The press conference starts in less than two hours, but I have some reason to believe that it has something to do with this. Whatever it is.

[Update a few minutes later]

Less than an hour before the press conference, Alan Boyle seems to have the scoop. And the web cast is live now. Here’s the low-res version for the bandwidth challenged.

[Update a few minutes before the presser]

They’re playing Elton John’s “Rocket Man” on the webcast, waiting for the event to begin.

[Update during presser]

The wingspan of that aircraft is over three times the distance of the Wright Brothers first flight.

[Update during questions]

An order of magnitude more money than SpaceShipOne. In other words, less than a billion.

[Update a few minutes later]

They’re going to have to certify that aircraft under Part 127. That will triple its cost at least. On the other hand, it might find other markets.

[Update a couple minutes later]

They just asked my question about schedule (though others probably emailed that as well). First aircraft flight 2015, first space flight in the next year. I asked whether they fuel on the ground or in the air, but the question has been asked of the panel yet. It may not be.

[Update a few minutes later]

About an hour into the conference now, and Clark Lindsey has been taking notes.