Are you prepared for an out-of-this-world adventure? If you happen to have a spare $450,000 tucked away, then Virgin Galactic might have an extraordinary treat in store for you!
Let’s face it, going to space is an opportunity that most of us can only dream of, mainly due to financial constraints and various other factors.
However, that doesn’t diminish the awe-inspiring experience of witnessing our planet from the vastness of space.
As technology continues to advance, an increasing number of individuals are getting the chance to embark on space journeys. With Elon Musk’s ambitious plans, we might even find ourselves on Mars sooner than we think.
Virgin, the globally renowned company involved in various industries such as travel and mobile services, is organizing a space tour at the end of this month, albeit at a hefty price tag of $450,000 per ticket.
According to a report by the Daily Mail, Richard Branson’s enterprise has announced its inaugural commercial flight from a spaceport in New Mexico. The Galactic 01 spacecraft will accommodate six passengers, and assuming all goes well, Galactic 02 is set to launch a month later. The company intends to conduct a monthly flight schedule thereafter.
The VSS Unity spaceplane recently underwent its final test in May, during which a crew of four soared to an altitude of 50 miles above the Earth’s surface, providing them with breathtaking views of our planet.
Joining the Galactic 01 mission will be Angelo Landolfi, Walter Villadei, and Pantaleone Carlucci from the Italian Air Force and the National Research Council of Italy. Although tickets are available to the public, the initial flights will primarily focus on microgravity research.
Accompanying the Italian researchers will be pilot Frederick W. Sturckow, co-pilot Michael Masucci, and safety officer Beth Moses.
Michael Colglazier, the CEO of Virgin Galactic, expressed his enthusiasm, stating, “We are launching the first commercial spaceline for Earth with two dynamic products – our scientific research and private astronaut space missions.” He further emphasized the company’s commitment to innovation, determination, and delivering an unparalleled and transformative customer experience.
Unlike conventional rocket launches, the Galactic mission commences with the carrier aircraft White Knight Two taking off from a runway and ascending to an altitude of 10 miles. At this point, the VSS Unity spaceplane separates and employs its rocket motor to reach the desired altitude of 50 miles. This altitude is considered the boundary of space as determined by NASA.
Upon reaching the peak, the engines are deactivated, allowing passengers to unbuckle their seatbelts and revel in the exhilarating experience of zero gravity. The spacecraft then descends and lands on the same runway from which it took off, resembling a regular aircraft landing.
Curious about the courageous souls venturing on this extraordinary journey? Over 800 people have reportedly signed up so far, with the number steadily increasing. Business Insider mentions that celebrities such as Leonardo DiCaprio, Tom Hanks, Brad Pitt, Angelina Jolie, Russell Brand, Lady Gaga, Katy Perry, Justin Bieber, and Ashton Kutcher have expressed their interest.
With entrepreneurs like Branson, Musk, and Jeff Bezos venturing into space, it seems that the time when space exploration becomes more accessible to the general public is not too far off.
