Sir Richard Branson’s space tourism company Virgin Galactic has announced its first commercial flight dates.
The first flight, Galactic 01, is scheduled to take place between June 27th and 30th. This first flight will involve a crew of six, including three members of the Italian Air Force and Italy’s National Research Council. The team will conduct microgravity research during the flight.
Galactic 02 will launch in August and carry the public. Monthly flights follow.
Over the past decade, Virgin Galactic has sold approximately 800 tickets for its trips to the edge of space, with the first batch costing $200,000 each.
Tickets are currently valued at $450,000 per person. Many of the first passengers will have waited more than a decade for this moment after purchasing their tickets. Seats have already been allocated for the first space flights.
Virgin Galactic CEO Michael Colglazier expressed his excitement for the much-anticipated launch.
“This next exciting chapter for Virgin Galactic has been driven by innovation, determination and a commitment to delivering an unprecedented and truly transformative customer experience,” he said.
Virgin Galactic’s unique launch method sets it apart from competitors like SpaceX and Blue Origin. Instead of vertical rocket launches, the company’s carrier aircraft, White Knight Two, launches from a runway.
About 10 miles above the Earth’s surface, the rocket-powered spaceplane VSS Unity is shot down and ignites its rocket engine to reach an altitude of over 50 miles. At this point, the VSS Unity comes to the edge of space, offering passengers a weightless and awe-inspiring view of our planet.
The experience will last approximately 90 minutes, including five minutes of zero gravity, before gliding back to Earth and landing at Spaceport America in the New Mexico desert.
In 2012, Branson successfully made a suborbital flight on Virgin Galactic.
bottom line
With the imminent launch of its commercial spaceflights, Virgin Galactic is poised to fulfill its customers’ dreams. You’ve waited patiently to fly for more than ten years.
However, the cost of the experience is significant. For the time being, the tickets are only available to a privileged few.