Virgin Galactic's first space tourists include an Olympian and a mother-daughter duo

Virgin Galactic, the brainchild of British billionaire Richard Branson, has finally launched its historic first group of space tourists on an awe-inspiring cosmic journey.

It's a monumental cosmic celebration that marks the culmination of years of anticipation and excitement.

Departure

The sleek VSS Unity, Virgin Galactic's cutting-edge rocket-powered space plane, took off into action on Thursday (August 10) at 8:30 am local time from a state-of-the-art spaceport in New Mexico.

The Launchpad

The launchpad was none other than the sophisticated New Mexico spaceport, paired with an impressively large twin-fuselage mother ship.

It's as if they've elevated the concept of tandem adventure to a cosmic level.

Passengers Onboard

• Among the passengers was a former British Olympian who secured his ticket a remarkable 18 years ago, accompanied by a dynamic mother-daughter duo hailing from the Caribbean.
• Keisha Schahaff, an enterprising wellness expert, and her daughter Anastatia Mayers earned their out-of-this-world tickets by winning a seat in a fundraising raffle.

• These individuals secured their spots by contributing to a drawing that raised a remarkable $1.7 million (INR 1 crore 47 lakh) for the nonprofit organisation Space for Humanity, which aims to enhance access to space.

• The former Olympian Jon Goodwin, also part of the journey, achieved acclaim in canoeing during the 1972 Munich Summer Games.

   

• Notably, Goodwin became the second person with Parkinson's disease to venture into space. He had purchased his ticket for $200,000 USD back in 2005, and the current cost stands at $450,000.

The Voyage

Their cosmic adventure commenced at Virgin Galactic's upscale spaceport in New Mexico.

• They embarked on the sleek VSS Unity, nestled beneath the wing of the mothership named VMS Eve. It's akin to the most extraordinary ride-sharing service to the cosmos!

• The ascent took them to an astounding altitude of 40,000 feet (approximately 12,192 meters, for those keeping count).

• Upon reaching this height, VSS Unity was released like a bird leaving its nest, firing up its rocket engine and ascending towards the stars.
• Unity embraced its adventurous spirit, surpassing 50 miles (roughly 80 kilometers) above the Earth's surface.

This altitude is where the US government nods and proclaims, "Welcome to outer space!"

• With a sense of exhilaration, the craft experienced moments of weightlessness, akin to a cosmic trampoline session, before gliding gracefully back to Earth's awaiting embrace.
• The touchdown occurred at the spaceport, with the clock reading 9:30 in the morning MT.
• In total, this cosmic escapade offered an hour of sheer exhilaration.

Virgin Galactic had previously completed six space voyages prior to 2018, but this marked their first journey with a paying customer. The founder, Branson, had joined the inaugural crewed journey in 2021.

In June, Italian military and government researchers participated in the maiden commercial flight. About 800 individuals are currently in line for their turn, according to the company's information.

Diverging from the capsule-based systems of SpaceX and Blue Origin, Virgin Galactic's plane-launched rocket ship adds a unique touch, parachuting back down.

While this grand customer flight experienced delays over the years, its successful execution positions Richard Branson's Virgin Galactic to offer regular space rides.

They now stand shoulder-to-shoulder with Jeff Bezos' Blue Origin and Elon Musk's SpaceX in the elite club of cutting-edge space tourism.

This mission signifies Virgin Galactic's first foray into the world of space tourists, marking a significant milestone in their journey.