Fly into space with Virgin Galactic

Posted by Fatima Anter on 4 May 2012

Fly into space with Virgin Galactic

I just got back from a Virgin Galactic presentation and I’m blown away and in need of loads of cash so that I can go to space. Donations welcome.

Virgin Galactic, owned by Sir Richard Branson’s Virgin Group and Aabar Investments PJS, is set to be the world’s first commercial spaceline. The new space vehicles are being built to carry six customers,or the equivalent, on sub-orbital space flights, allowing an out-of-the-seat zero gravity experience and offering views of the planet from space for tourists, as well as a platform for researchers.

Stephen Attenborough, Virgin Galactic’s Commercial Director said, ‘Virgin Galactic is on track to become the world’s first commercial spaceline and South Africans can now book their seats and join Virgin’s founder Sir Richard Branson and over 500 other first-time space travellers from around the world.‘

The spacecraft, VSS Enterprise and VMS Eve test flight program is under way, leading to Virgin Galactic commercial operations, which will be based at Spaceport America in New Mexico, USA.


So what will this once-in-a-lifetime journey cost? 

A Virgin Galactic suborbital tourism flight costs $200 000 (about R1,5 million), which includes astronaut training, ‘G-force’ acclimatisation and a sensational sub-orbital spaceflight which will take passengers more than 100kms above the Earth’s surface to enjoy weightlessness and life-changing views. The cost doesn’t include getting to and from the Spaceport in New Mexico.

The total flight time for the trip is 2,5 hours with a total zero gravity time of four minutes.

It sounds like something very few can afford, but to date, the company has accepted more than $65m in deposits from more than 515 individuals.

If it sounds like something you’d like to try, visit www.virgingalactic.com and May the 4th be with you.

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