| 24 February 2010
KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, Fla. (February 23, 2010) - Two Florida residents have become the first to complete a new commercial space flight training program at NASA’s John F Kennedy Space Center (KSC). Terence Witt, founder of Witt Biomedical, and his wife Virginia trained for space in the Lockheed F-104 Starfighter, the same supersonic plane used to prepare Mercury, Gemini and Apollo astronauts for space travel. Husband and wife team completed their training with Starfighters, Inc, a privately-owned company operating under a formal Space Act Agreement allowing them full utilization of KSC’s Shuttle Landing Facility (SLF).
The Witts each passed a mandatory medical evaluation and completed two days of ground school covering the principles of atmospheric pressure and high-altitude flight before completing training in a hypobaric pressure chamber. Then, they received an extensive flight safety briefing, complete with ejection seat and parachute training, and strapped into the cockpit of an F-104 Starfighter.
Each completed a flight profile carefully designed to prepare future space tourists for the physical challenges of a suborbital space flight. A high-speed vertical climb simulated the high sustained g-forces of a rocket launch and was followed by supersonic flight over the Atlantic Ocean. A parabolic maneuver exposed the couple to the sensation of weightlessness.
“My life can now be separated into two distinct parts, the part before I flew an F-104 and the part after. I can’t thank the Starfighters team enough for making this possible,” said Witt, a licensed commercial pilot. “To say that it was merely ‘incredible’ does it a great disservice.”
Mrs. Witt was equally enthusiastic after her Starfighter flight. “Wow. There are no words to describe this ride.”
Starfighters is the only company authorized by both the FAA and NASA to offer commercial suborbital space flight training from KSC’s Shuttle Landing Facility. The company’s commercial operations at Kennedy are a result of a partnership between NASA and Space Florida aimed at developing and supporting the commercial space industry.
“Space Florida has been essential to the success of our mission,” said Rick Svetkoff, Starfighters President and Chief Pilot. “We both want to see the commercial space industry grow in Florida. With Space Florida’s continued unwavering support we are making real strides toward that vision.”
“Starfighters, in partnership with NASA-KSC and Space Florida, has achieved an incredibly important milestone with this announcement,” noted Space Florida President Frank DiBello. “The Commercial Sub-Orbital Training Program provides a great example of the types of innovative programs that will form the foundation of Florida’s growing commercial space sector. We are pleased to be a part of this groundbreaking program here in Florida.”
The Witt’s training flights were facilitated by KSC Chief of Flight Operations, Tom Friers and SLF Chief Air Traffic Controller, Ron Feile. “The SLF and its staff are instrumental in helping us achieve and sustain our commercial mission at KSC,” noted Svetkoff, “We couldn’t have asked for a more professional and dedicated team to work alongside.”
The couple purchased their Starfighters Aerospace training package from Incredible Adventures, an international adventure company based in Sarasota, Florida. The company has an exclusive contract to market the Starfighters Aerospace F-104 program for Starfighters, Inc. Future space tourists can choose from two training programs and can reserve space by calling Incredible Adventures at 800-644-7382.
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About Starfighters: Starfighters was founded in 1995 by President and Chief Pilot Rick Svetkoff. The company operates a fleet of Lockheed F-104 Starfighters, a supersonic fighter aircraft that was operated by NASA for over 40 years to train generations of astronauts.
For more information, visit: www.starfighters.net
About Space Florida: Space Florida was created to strengthen Florida’s position as the global leader in aerospace research, investment, exploration and commerce. As Florida’s aerospace development organization, we are committed to attracting and expanding the next generation of space industry businesses. With its highly trained workforce, proven infrastructure and unparalleled record of achievement, Florida is the ideal location for aerospace businesses to thrive.
For more information, visit: www.spaceflorida.gov
About Incredible Adventures: Incredible Adventures is an international adventure company based in Sarasota, Florida known for its extreme air and space adventures. Incredible Adventures has offered MiG fighter jet flights and cosmonaut training in Russia since 1993 and has an exclusive contract to market the Starfighters Aerospace F-104 program.
For more information, visit: http://www.incredible-adventures.com
Media Contact:
Mike Robinson
Flight Operations
Starfighters, Inc.
(941) 961 0111
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