ShareSpace Gala awards Innovator
Sharon Hagle
Space Ambassador / Astronaut, 1st commercially launched space spouses / Member of The Explorers Club / AIAA / Founder, SpaceKids Global-"Bringing the possibility of Space to kids everywhere".
Richard Branson was honored at Kennedy Space Center at Buzz Aldrin's ShareSpace Gala on July 20th. One of three people honored for contributions to further space exploration, Branson received the 2018 Apollo Celebration Innovation Award for “his mission to create the world’s first commercial spaceline,”
Branson said, “Virgin Galactic is developing and operating a new generation of space vehicles to open space for everyone. Determined to innovate and create a better future for our society and our planet, they promise to inspire future generations and make it possible to see our beautiful home planet from a new perspective.”
“Space is still hard, really hard. It still really matters,” Branson said. “There would be no Virgin Galactic, no Virgin Orbit and no Spaceship Company had it not been for Apollo astronauts and the thousands of talented people who made their mission possible.”
Branson was unable to attend the gala but addressed the crowd via recorded video. George Whitesides, Virgin Galactic CEO accepted the award on Mr. Branson's behalf.