The era of space tourism is rapidly approaching, as Richard Branson’s company, Virgin Galactic, gears up for its first commercial flight before the end of June. The excitement is building as the company prepares for this groundbreaking milestone.
Scheduled within a four-day launch window starting on June 27, Virgin Galactic will embark on their journey with a crew of three specialists from the Italian Air Force and the National Research Centre of Italy. Their mission will involve conducting microgravity research on the outer edges of space. Following this mission, commercial space flights for ticket holders will commence in August and will continue on a monthly basis, as announced by the company on Thursday.
CEO Michael Colglazier expressed his enthusiasm for this new chapter, stating, “This next exciting chapter for Virgin Galactic has been driven by innovation, determination, and a commitment to delivering an unparalleled and truly transformative customer experience.” The company is dedicated to providing an extraordinary and unforgettable journey for its customers.
However, reserving your seat with Virgin Galactic for a 90-minute space ride comes at a substantial cost. Tickets were made available to approximately 1,000 customers last February, with a hefty price tag of $450,000 per person. It’s certainly not an inexpensive endeavor, but the experience promises to be priceless.
Nevertheless, for those who find themselves unable to physically embark on this incredible adventure, there is still a way to be part of the excitement. Virgin Galactic will offer livestreams of their initial missions on their website, virgingalactic.com. This means that even if you can’t be there in person, you can still witness the awe-inspiring moments from the comfort of your own surroundings.
Image Source: Virgin Galactic