Virgin Galactic to Launch First Tourism Mission After Decades of Promises

Virgin Galactic, the pioneering space tourism venture established by British magnate Richard Branson, is poised to make history by sending its first group of space tourists on a voyage to the fringes of the cosmos. This monumental milestone marks a significant leap forward in realizing the decades-long promises of commercial space travel.

Scheduled for liftoff from a New Mexico spaceport, Virgin Galactic’s rocket-powered spaceplane, VSS Unity, will embark on a mission that symbolizes the company’s commitment to delivering on its ambitious objectives. The event, eagerly anticipated by space enthusiasts and stakeholders alike, will be livestreamed at 11 a.m. ET on Thursday.

Aboard the VSS Unity, three individuals will embark on this groundbreaking journey. Keisha Schahaff, an entrepreneur and advocate for health and wellness, along with her daughter Anastatia Mayers, will represent Antigua as the first space travelers from the Caribbean nation, having secured their seats through a fundraising drawing. Joining them is former Olympian Jon Goodwin, a distinguished canoeist who participated in the 1972 Munich Summer Games. Of noteworthy significance, Goodwin will become the second person with Parkinson’s disease to venture into space.

The expedition commences at Virgin Galactic’s New Mexico spaceport, where the trio will board the VSS Unity, attached beneath the massive twin-fuselage mothership named VMS Eve.

Following a departure reminiscent of an airplane’s takeoff, VMS Eve will ascend to an altitude exceeding 40,000 feet (12,192 meters). Upon reaching the predetermined height, VMS Eve will release the VSS Unity, which will ignite its rocket engine for approximately one minute, thrusting it skyward in an awe-inspiring ascent towards the stars.

The mission’s zenith will witness the spaceplane soaring beyond 50 miles (80 kilometres) above Earth’s surface — a threshold defined by the U.S. government as the border of outer space. This achievement, often referred to as the edge of space, aligns with the country’s definition. Alternatively, the internationally recognized Kármán line, situated at 62 miles (100 kilometres) above sea level, serves as a symbolic marker delineating our planet’s boundary with space.

The VSS Unity’s journey will entail supersonic speeds during its ascent, culminating in moments of weightlessness and free fall at its peak, before gracefully gliding back to the spaceport for a runway landing. This extraordinary journey, scheduled to last around an hour and a half, represents Virgin Galactic’s strides towards commercial space travel.

The forthcoming mission follows the triumph of Virgin Galactic’s initial commercial flight in June. Unlike the research-oriented debut, this mission exemplifies the first instance of space tourists partaking in the experience, with Schahaff, Mayers, and Goodwin at the forefront.

The voyage stands as a poignant reminder of the company’s mission to democratize space access. Schahaff, whose childhood dreams of space exploration seemed unattainable as a Caribbean resident, expressed her astonishment at the opportunity. Mayers, at the age of 18, will become the second-youngest person to embark on a space journey, trailing the record set by Oliver Daemen on Blue Origin’s inaugural passenger flight.

Goodwin’s participation signifies the realization of a dream, defying his Parkinson’s diagnosis to become a spacefarer. Advocates have long highlighted the potential benefits of space travel for those with physical disabilities due to the weightless environment’s potential to enhance mobility.

As Virgin Galactic progresses, this mission marks a pivotal juncture in its timeline. Having been operational since 2004, the company can now address its backlog of eager customers who have purchased tickets for suborbital flights. With approximately 800 tickets sold, priced between $250,000 and $450,000, Virgin Galactic is poised to usher in a new era of human spaceflight.

CEO Michael Colglazier hailed the company’s accomplishments in a call with investors, referring to the upcoming mission as “Galactic 02,” a testament to its significance. As the journey unfolds, Virgin Galactic anticipates a future marked by advanced spacecraft designs, with plans to introduce a new line of “Delta ships” by 2026, aiming to bolster production efficiency and enable more frequent flights.

The forthcoming launch of the VSS Unity represents not only a significant stride towards commercial space travel but also a testament to human ingenuity, ambition, and the relentless pursuit of exploration beyond the confines of our planet.