NM Museum of Space History Launch Pad Lecture: “From Shuttle Camp to Spaceship”

New Mexico Museum of Space History Launch Pad Lecture
Guest Speaker: Tori Crichton, Virgin Galactic Propulsion Engineer
Lecture Topic: “From Shuttle Camp to Spaceship”
Location: New Horizons Dome Theater and Planetarium
Date: February 6, 2026
Time: 9:00 AM – 10:00 AM

ALAMOGORDO, NM – Join Las Cruces native and Virgin Galactic propulsion engineer Tori Crichton for an engaging look at the thrilling world of commercial spaceflight on Friday, Feb. 6, 9:00 – 10:00 a.m. at the New Mexico Museum of Space History’s New Horizons Dome Theater and Planetarium. Drawing from personal experiences—from attending shuttle camp at New Mexico Museum of Space History as a child to earning dual degrees at New Mexico State University—Crichton’s presentation explores the engineering behind Virgin Galactic and its systems.

Learn about the innovations that powered VSS Unity’s historic suborbital flights and the advanced designs boosting the upcoming Delta-class spaceships to enable higher-frequency missions starting in 2026. Discover the challenges of safe, reusable propulsion for private astronauts and researchers, Virgin Galactic’s operations at Spaceport America, and the company’s vision for making space for all. The presentation features visuals from the hangar and insights into New Mexico’s pivotal role in the new space age.

Crichton is a Propulsion Operations Engineer at Virgin Galactic, the pioneering commercial spaceflight company operating from Spaceport America in New Mexico. On the propulsion operations team, she works on the hybrid rocket motor and serves as the engineer in charge of spaceship vehicles and the Pratt & Whitney turbofan engines on the mothership VMS Eve. Recently, Crichton joined the flight test engineering team and has flown on board Eve during test flights, supporting progress toward Delta-class spaceship flight tests in 2026.

A Las Cruces native, Crichton’s passion for space began at shuttle camp as a child at the New Mexico Museum of Space History. She earned dual bachelor’s degrees in mechanical engineering and aerospace engineering from New Mexico State University.

“I am very excited to head back to the museum to present in the same place where my inspiration for space was first ignited,” said Crichton. “I’m looking forward to sharing the awesome work that Virgin Galactic is doing and how I got to where I am today!”

The Launch Pad Lecture will be at the New Mexico Museum of Space History’s New Horizons Dome Theater and Planetarium, 3198 State Route 2001, in Alamogordo, on Friday, February 6, from 9:00 – 10:00 a.m. It’s free to the public, with coffee and donuts provided by the International Space Hall of Fame Foundation.

The NM Museum of Space History’s Launch Pad Lecture Series is held on the first Friday of each month in the New Horizons Dome Theater and Planetarium in the Clyde W. Tombaugh Education Center. Museum staff, and sometimes special guest speakers, discuss topics ranging from space history to space future.  Free to the public. Coffee and donuts provided. For more information, email msh.info@dca.nm.gov or visit our website at www.nmspacemuseum.org