AirlinesEntertainmentTravel

Virgin Galatic successfuly completes the first space tourism flight

Share
Share

The space tourism company Virgin Galactic, which was founded by billionaire Richard Branson, announced that its first commercial flight to space has been successfully completed today, Thursday, June 29. This marks a milestone for the aeronautical industry and the space tourism field. It is even more important for the company, which was founded in 2004 with the goal of conducting experiences like these.

The spacecraft departed from the Spaceport America base in the desert state of New Mexico at 6:39 p.m., and it sent the VSS Unity spaceplane to a high enough altitude. At that point, it separated and flew to the boundary of space, reaching a total of 85.1km at 7:36 p.m. This space flight, named Galatic 01, was previously conducted two years ago, after Richard Branson and his five-member team utilized Virgin Galatic to fly in July 2021.

The highly-anticipated trip carried 4 passengers on board including a Virgin Galactic trainer who oversaw the experience from the cabin, two high-ranking Italian Air Force members, an engineer from the Italian National Research Council, along with two pilots in charge of conducting the fight. The experience had a 70-minute duration and it was paid by the three Italian passangers at a cost of 450,000 dollars per seat. The spacecraft finally landed on American ground at 7.49 p.m, proving the success of the journey.

This is now the fifth occasion for the American company to head up to space in recent years. Virgin Galactic has previously done so before, but with some of its employees as passengers. However, this was the first time a space flight was ever done commercially and for tourism reasons. As for the general public, the prices are out of range for most people with the cheapest ticket being sold at 450,000 dollars. Due to this reason, it is expected that future trips are done by celebrities and the richest people in the world.

Watch Virgin Galactic fly its first paying customers to space for tourism — 6/29/23
Share
Related Articles
AccidentAirlines

Plane crash in Russia’s far east leaves 48 dead

Forty-eight people were killed when a plane crashed in a remote area...

Entertainment

Hulk Hogan dies at 71, an undisputed legend of professional wrestling

Terry Gene Bollea, known worldwide as Hulk Hogan, has died at the...

Whitney Houston wearing a stunning red dress, sparkling jewelry, and an elegant hairstyle
BusinessEntertainment

Legendary Whitney Houston Items Go Up for Auction to Mark Her 40th Anniversary

The Whitney E. Houston Legacy Foundation and Julien’s Auctions have joined forces...

CultureTravel

Mexico City Unveils Plan to Regulate Rents Amid Anti-Gentrification Protests

Following a wave of protests in Mexico City against gentrification and rising...

AirlinesPolitics

United Kingdom Lifts Ban on Pakistani Airlines Following Improvements in Aviation Safety

The United Kingdom announced on Wednesday that it has lifted a long-standing...

EntertainmentMovies

“Spider-Man: Brand New Day” Promises to Refresh the Saga with Tom Holland Leading the Way

Marvel Studios is ready to give the wall-crawler’s story a new twist...

AccidentAirlines

Human Error Suspected in Deadly Air India Crash in Ahmedabad

Investigations into the tragic crash of an Air India flight on June...

A chef in the middle of his workplace writing something on a piece of cardboard
EntertainmentSeries

‘The Bear’ Confirms Fifth Season: Returning in 2026 with the Fastest Chefs on TV

The acclaimed series The Bear, starring Jeremy Allen White, Ayo Edebiri, and...