Virgin Galactic is preparing for its next commercial flight to the edge of space in early August. This highly-anticipated flight will include the first group of ticket holders who have been eagerly waiting for their chance to experience weightlessness aboard the company’s rocket-powered plane.
The flight is scheduled to take place on August 10 from Spaceport America in southern New Mexico. It will be a short up-and-down trip, and the entire experience will be streamed live on Virgin Galactic’s website for viewers around the world to witness.
Virgin Galactic has confirmed that three private passengers will be on board the flight, which has a capacity for six people – two pilots from Virgin Galactic and four passengers. Over the years, hundreds of individuals, including celebrities, scientists, and entrepreneurs, have purchased tickets for these groundbreaking space journeys.
The company plans to release more details about the crew and the three passengers participating in this upcoming flight in the following week. In addition, this will be the third flight conducted by Virgin Galactic this year. The most recent flight, which took place in June, involved two Italian Air Force officers and a researcher from the National Research Council of Italy who conducted microgravity experiments during their moments of weightlessness.
Virgin Galactic has been working tirelessly for over a decade to make space tourism a reality. The company finally received approval from the federal government in 2021 to transport paying passengers. Founder Richard Branson himself joined Virgin Galactic employees for the first flight last summer.
The journey typically takes approximately one hour as the mother ship carries the plane to the desired altitude. Once released, the plane fires its rocket motor to propel it to the edge of space. At the peak of the flight, passengers can unstrap from their seats and float around the cabin for a few minutes, enjoying breathtaking views of the Earth. They then strap back in for a smooth glide down to the runway.
Virgin Galactic plans to conduct monthly flights from its base in the New Mexico desert, offering more people the chance to experience the wonders of space.
In conclusion, Virgin Galactic is gearing up for an exciting commercial flight to the edge of space in early August. This will be a significant milestone for the company and for the passengers who have been eagerly awaiting their turn to experience weightlessness. Stay tuned for more updates and details about this historic journey.
