Branson’s Third Virgin Galactic Flight Breaks Altitude Record

 

Commenting on the 71,000 feet altitude reached by Virgin Galactic’s third supersonic flight, Richard Branson expressed his joy. ‘…I couldn’t be happier to start the New Year with all the pieces visibly in place for the start of full space flights.’ Speaking enthusiastically about the plans for the coming year, Mr Branson said ‘…2014 will be the year when we will finally put our beautiful spaceship in her natural environment of space.’

After dozens of successful subsonic test flights, Virgin Galactic tested the supersonic, rocket-powered flight. CEO for Virgin Galactic, George Whitesides said ‘…today’s flight was another resounding success.’ Mr Whitesides said ‘…we focused on gathering more transonic and supersonic data, and our chief pilot, Dave, handled the vehicle beautifully. With each flight test, we are progressively closer to our target of starting commercial service in 2014.’

With progress being made as I type, you could soon be booking your all inclusive packages to outer space! (If you have $250,000 that is.)

Branson’s Third Virgin Galactic Flight Breaks Altitude Record

Rihanna pays $750K for space travel

Rihanna pays $750K for space travel

It seems that scientists are not the only one who’s trying to decode the mystery of the universe, and find out whether there are aliens or not. Pop-star Rihanna has already booked three tickets on Richard Branson’s Virgin Galactic space crusade!

A close source did confirm it to media agencies that Rihanna is now in the waiting list for next year’s flight into space. The other two seats are most probably of her brother, Rorrey, and her bodyguard.

In September 2013, Rorrey spilled Rihanna’s secret obsession with the belief that there’s life on other planets as well, and that UFOs and aliens exist in real life.

Apart from Rihanna, there are several other Hollywood celebs who have booked in a spot for themselves, including, Ashton Kutcher, Mila Kunis, Leonardo DiCaprio and teen-sensation Justin Beiber, among 500 others. Apart from these fellow passengers, Richard Branson and his family will also be present in the space ship.

The cost for one seat in Virgin Galactic SpaceShip Two is for 250,000$, which will delight the passengers by taking them to an altitude of about 62 miles, where they’ll be able to feel weightlessness.

Although there’ve been many visits into the space, but what’ll make this journey fun is that the astronauts this time won’t be professional, but regular people just like you and me.

Several passengers have already completed their G-force training, to withstand the abnormal conditions up there!

A new tourism industry seems to be in its early stage now, and might soon become a cult.

Rihanna pays $750K for space travel

Space Tourism Virgin Galactic takes on the world view

Space Tourism Virgin Galactic takes on the world view

It seems that sky is not the limit after all, literally. There’s been a lot of research and development going on in the science & tech world, related to space travelling and tourism, thus there are several firms trying to make it possible.

Having explored the Earth to its core, the companies are now trying to reach out now, i.e. in the space. World View and Virgin Galactic are two leading firms, moving ahead in the field of space tourism. While the main motto of Richard Branson’s baby Virgin Galactic remains to make possible tourism at an altitude of about 360,000 feet, the humble World View will target the 100,000 feet altitude.

Since Virgin Galactic will be offering sub-orbital rides, the cost normally goes up, to ~$250,000, as compared to that of World View’s, $75,000.

Some of the differences between the two rides are:

• Since Virgin Galactic will take you in the space, you’ll be able to feel the weightlessness. Yea, you get to fly. On the other hand, with World View, you’ll remain under the influence of gravity.


• The two firms employ different techniques to take you up there. While Virgin Galactic offers a rocket propelled ride, World View’s Helium balloon will take your gondola up there.


• The last and the most significant difference lies in the amount of time that you get to adore the space. With Virgin Galactic, despite the above mentioned perks, you don’t get much time to stay in the space, but with World View’s “spacecraft”, you get to spend a handsome couple of hours!

As more and more firms rise, the cost will automatically come down, and who knows, you’ll be reading this blog from up there then!

Space Tourism Virgin Galactic takes on the world view