Early August is the target date for Virgin Galactic's upcoming trip to the edge of space, which is anticipated to carry the first of many ticket holders eagerly anticipating the opportunity to experience weightlessness onboard the company's rocket-powered aircraft for years.
The commercial flight window will open on August 10 from Spaceport America in southern New Mexico, the firm announced on Thursday. On the Virgin Galactic website, a live stream of the brief up-and-down trip will be available, according to The Associated Press.
A Third Trip in 2023
(Photo : by PATRICK T. FALLON/AFP via Getty Images)
TOPSHOT - The Virgin Galactic SpaceShipTwo space plane Unity and mothership separate as they fly way above Spaceport America, near Truth and Consequences, New Mexico on July 11, 2021 on the way to the cosmos. Billionaire Richard Branson took off July 11, 2021 from a base in New Mexico aboard a Virgin Galactic vessel bound for the edge of space, a voyage he hopes will lift the nascent space tourism industry off the ground.
There will be three private guests on board, according to Virgin Galactic. Six people can fit inside the spacecraft: two Virgin Galactic pilots and four passengers.
Over the years, hundreds of people, including celebrities, researchers, and businesspeople, have bought tickets. Next week, the firm will provide additional information regarding the crew and three passengers.
This will be Virgin Galactic's third trip of the year. The most recent occurred in June when an engineer from Italy's National Research Council and two officers from the Italian Air Force conducted several microgravity experiments while in weightlessness.
Virgin Galactic has been attempting for more than ten years to transport paying customers on brief space flights, and in 2021 the company finally received approval from the federal authorities. Richard Branson, the company's founder, accompanied staff members on the inaugural flight that summer.
The mother ship typically takes the plane for an hour to reach the point where it is released and uses its rocket motor to make the last push into space.
Passengers can unbuckle from their seats once they've reached the highest point, float around the cabin for a while, and take in views of the planet. They then fasten their seats for the descent back to the runway.
Virgin Galactic intends to operate monthly flights from its outpost in the desert of New Mexico.
Read Also: Virgin Galactic Aces Crucial Test Flight, Paves Way for Space Tourism Launch
Space Commercial Flights Today
Space commercial flights are for-profit flights that carry passengers into space. The first commercial space flight occurred in 2001 when Dennis Tito became the first space tourist. Since then, several other companies have started offering commercial space flights, including Virgin Galactic, Blue Origin, and SpaceX.
Space commercial flights are still in their early stages but are becoming increasingly popular. In 2021, Virgin Galactic conducted its first commercial flight with paying passengers. And in 2022, Blue Origin is planning to start offering commercial flights to the edge of space.
These flights are costly. A ticket on a Virgin Galactic flight costs $450,000, and a ticket on a Blue Origin flight costs $250,000. However, the prices are expected to come down as the industry matures.
There are some risks associated with commercial space flights. These flights can be dangerous, and there is always the risk of something going wrong. However, the companies offering these flights take safety very seriously and have a good track record.
The potential benefits of commercial space flights are many. These flights inspire people to learn more about space and pursue STEM careers. They could also promote tourism and economic development in space.
Space commercial flights are a new and exciting industry with great potential. It will be interesting to see how this industry develops in the future.
Related Article: Virgin Galactic Prepares to Launch First Space Flight with Paying Passengers Onboard
