Virgin Galactic to roll out ship

Aerospace engineers have been holed up in a Mojave Desert hangar for four years, fashioning a commercial spaceship to loft rich tourists some 62 miles above Earth. Now the wraps come partially off the top-secret project.

British billionaire Sir Richard Branson and American aerospace designer Burt Rutan are due Monday to show off their mothership, which is designed to air launch a passenger-toting spaceship out of the atmosphere.

The rollout – a year after a deadly accident at Rutan’s test site – marks the start of a rigorous flight test program that space tourism advocates hope will climax with the first suborbital joy rides by the end of the decade. More than 250 wannabe astronauts have paid $200,000 or put down deposits for a chance to float weightless for a mere five minutes.

“Having invested all my faith in it, I’m so excited to see the actual thing,” said artist Namira Salim, a customer who is lined up for a ride on Branson’s Virgin Galactic.

In 2004, throngs of spectators gathered to witness SpaceShipOne capture the $10 million Ansari X Prize by becoming the first private, manned craft to reach space. It was designed by Rutan and bankrolled by Microsoft Corp. co-founder Paul Allen.

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M.

Navajo council OKs ban on tobacco use

The Navajo Nation Council has approved a ban on commercial tobacco in public places on its reservation, including outdoor venues such as rodeos and fairs.

The measure would ban cigarettes and chewing tobacco – but not tobacco used in ceremonies for traditional or religious purposes – on the reservation across parts of Arizona, New Mexico and Utah. The reservation is about the size of West Virginia.

Legislation sponsor Thomas Walker Jr. said delegates approved the measure 42-27 Friday. Navajo Nation President Joe Shirley Jr. has 10 days to sign or veto the law after it reaches his desk.

NEW YORK

At least four drown in strong currents

Four swimmers drowned and three were missing Saturday in two days of treacherous ocean currents at Long Island and New York City beaches, authorities said. At least three more had been rescued.

The missing included a 10-year-old girl who had been playing in the waters off Coney Island. A 10-year-old boy who was with her was rescued.

In the Long Island community of Long Beach, where two people drowned and another disappeared, police Lt. Bruce Meyer said he “cannot recall there ever being back-to-back situations like this.”

The rough seas were due to a strong storm system that brought 8-foot waves to the area last week, National Weather Service meteorologist Jim Connolly said.

HONOLULU

Pineapple fading as major export

Pineapple was once known as one of Hawaii’s biggest exports, but it’s quickly nearing extinction.

Hawaii pineapple production took a turn for the worse last week as Maui Land & Pineapple Co. announced it will lay off 274 workers and change its focus to forestry and energy crops. Of those losing their jobs, 204 are pineapple growers.

The Kahului-based company, which farms crops and manages Maui real estate, has been enduring financial losses because of fuel costs and a decrease in tourism and real estate.

The parent company said Maui Pine had “consumed over $100 million in capital investments and operating losses over the past four years,” and the downsizing would cut its costs by $11 million.

Officials said the company’s pineapple production will decrease by half, from about 2,000 acres to nearly 1,000 acres. The downsized pineapple operations will primarily serve local markets and a few mainland accounts.