[Satellite Today 07-29-09] Commercial space venture Virgin Galactic raised $280 million in a 32 percent company stake purchase by Aabar Investments in Abu Dhabi, Virgin Galactic announced July 28.
    Virgin Galactic has been valued at $900 million as a result of the purchase.
    Aabar has also invested $100 million to build a spaceport in Abu Dhabi in order to launch satellites and to guarantee exclusive regional rights to host tourist and scientific space flights for the Arab Emirates country.
    Aabar’s largest shareholder behind the deal is International Petroleum Investment Co., owned by the Abu Dhabi government.