Richard Branson’s pioneering space tourism company, Virgin Galactic, is making final preparations for its inaugural commercial spaceflight, scheduled to take place later this month.
With plans for two consecutive flights and a focus on scientific research, Virgin Galactic is set to usher in a new era of space tourism.
Virgin Galactic’s Inaugural Commercial Spaceflight
First Commercial Spaceflight: Galactic 01: Virgin Galactic announced that its first commercial spaceflight, Galactic 01, is slated for launch between June 27 and June 30.
This mission will prioritize scientific research, with three crew members from the Italian Air Force and the National Research Council of Italy on board.
The primary objective is to conduct microgravity studies, utilizing various scientific payloads deployed in the company’s suborbital science lab.
Michael Colglazier, CEO of Virgin Galactic, expressed excitement about the upcoming milestone, highlighting the company’s commitment to innovation and customer experience.
The announcement had a positive impact on the market, as Virgin Galactic shares surged over 40 percent in extended New York trade.
Space Tourism Experience and Demand: Virgin Galactic’s space tourism venture has already sold more than 800 seats.
The flights offer passengers a remarkable view of Earth from space and several minutes of weightlessness at an altitude of over 260,000 feet (80 kilometers).
However, this awe-inspiring experience comes at a price tag of $450,000 per person.
Read more: SpaceX Effortless Space Launches Demand Investor Attention
Successful Test Flights and Readiness
Virgin Galactic’s rocket plane Unity underwent its final test flight last month, flying above the New Mexico desert with two pilots and four passengers on board.
The successful Unity 25 spaceflight, followed by thorough analysis and vehicle inspections, demonstrated that both the team and the vehicles are prepared for the first customer flights.
Path to Commercial Debut and Future Plans: Prior to the commercial launch, Unity had completed five test trips to suborbital space, paving the way for this momentous occasion.
Virgin Galactic’s suborbital spaceflight system consists of two primary components: the carrier plane VMS Eve and the pilot space plane VSS Unity.
The upcoming launch will take place from New Mexico’s Spaceport America.
Read more: The Rise Of The Corporate Wild West With SpaceX And Beyond
