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Browsing Tag: Virgin Galatic

Virgin Galactic’s Space Ship Two Completes First Manned Glide Flight

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VSS Enterprise glides fantastically back towards Mojave Space Port. Photo by Mark Greenberg

VSS Enterprise glides fantastically back towards Mojave Space Port. Photo by Mark Greenberg

Hold on to your hats boys and girls, we are one step closer to space tourism.

Remember back in the early days of air travel; it was new, exciting and only for the wealthy. Today, we take it for granted and complain if we don’t get free peanuts. Today, private space travel is still in its pre-infant stage and hopefully will blossom into a very popular and successful venture.

On Sunday the 10th, the VSS Enterprise achieved manned flight at over 45,000 feet and then glided successfully to the Mojave Air and Spaceport.

The VSS Enterprise (or called SpaceShipTwo) was flown up by its mother ship (or called WhiteKnightTwo or “Eve”) to 45,000 feet, when the VSS Enterprise was released.

Commenting on the successful flight Scaled Composites pilot, Pete Siebold, said ’œThe VSS Enterprise was a real joy to fly, especially when one considers the fact that the vehicle has been designed not only to be a Mach 3.5 spaceship capable of going into space but also one of the worlds highest altitude gliders.’

So far 370 potential customers have placed deposits to get a ride on a future space flight. $20,000.00 will save you a seat and a total of $200,000.00 will get you a ride. Not too bad of a deal when you think about how few people have traveled into space.

Learn and see more:
* Video of VSS Enterprise first glide
* Learn more about the aircraft and space ship used
* A few more photos from Virgin Galatic
* Take a look at plans for the world’s first public space port
* Get your own space ticket
* Video interview with Virgin Galactic President William Whitehorn

48,000ft to 300,000ft in 90 seconds for only $200,000

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Although not directly airline news, I feel this falls under “future airline news” since who knows, boarding a plane (or spaceship?) might just be as easy and cheap as it is now to fly (hopefully they won’t charge for peanuts).

Anyhow, Virgin Galactic has shown to the world (and galaxy?) what White Knight Two “Eve” Mothership will look like (hmm maybe pick a name?). This aircraft would take SpaceShip2 up to about 48,000 feet before it takes the six wealthy folks 300,000 feet in only 90 seconds.

For a mere $200,000 you can book your seat to fly into space. Even though going to the ends of Earth for $200k might not seem like a good deal to most people, I think it is great since it will pave the way for private space exploration. There are enough wealthy people to support this — 100 have already paid full price and another 170 have put down deposits.

THANKS BEN FOR THE TIP!

Source: The Washington Post Image: The Washington Post