Virgin Galactic Update

Virgin Galactic commercial flights should begin in 2013. Branson originally planned the first flight to take place in 2007, but delays due to engineering problems and safety concerns, have held the start date back by a number of years. “This is a programme that can’t have a hard-end date as safety is number one priority,” said Stephen Attenborough, Virgin Galactic’s commercial director. Branson has full confidence in the safety of the venture, and has even said that he and his kids will be among some of the first passengers.

The launchpad for Branson’s space tourism venture will be in the New Mexico desert. Brason opened the worlds first private spaceport in October 2011, at a cost of  $209m. The spaceport was designed by UK based company Foster + Partners. The building itself certainly looks the part of a futuristic spaceport. It was built using local materials, and is sensitive to its surrounding environment, both aesthetically and in operations. “The building is absolutely magnificent, It is literally out of this world, and that’s what we were aiming at creating.” said Sir Richard.

The two and a half hour flight which includes five minutes of weightlessness, costs $200,000 and deposits start from $20,000. The price doesn’t seem to be putting off potential clients, with over 500 people booked up already.  “People are willing to put a large amount of money upfront because they know we will only take them to space if it’s safe to do so.” said Attenborough. Virgin Galactic say the price of flights should reduce over time.

Download the Virgin Galactic brochure here

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image credit, Virgin Galactic