Culture + LifestyleVirgin Galactic Launches Sales for $450,000 Spaceflights Richard Branson’s aerospace company will start selling tickets on February 16 for its highly anticipated flights into space

By Shivani Vora

February 15, 2022

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Richard Branson on the Unity 22 mission in July 2021.

Virgin Galatic

After years of teasing travelers that they would have the chance to book a trip into space, the day is finally here: Richard Branson’s aerospace travel company Virgin Galactic will start selling tickets for spaceflights tomorrow, and if you have $450,000 to spend, it’s a journey that can be yours starting in the last quarter of this year.

In a release about the news, Virgin Galactic’s CEO Michael Colglazier said that the company plans to have its first 1,000 customers on commercial service later this year. This solid start, he said, will provide “an incredibly strong foundation as we begin regular operations and scale our fleet.”

Virgin Galactic will launch the spaceflights from Spaceport America in New Mexico. Before they take off in the six-person rocket, however, would-be astronauts will spend a few days getting ready for the main event with what the company describes as “space preparedness activities” and “astronaut-specific training programs.” They can bring three guests with them for this initial part of the trip and will enjoy luxury accommodations as they gear up for the big day.

Virgin Galatic’s VSS Unity.

Virgin Galactic

The actual spaceflight spans 90 minutes and includes an air launch and Mach-3 ride to over 300,000 feet above the Earth. SpaceShipTwo, as their rocket is called, can accommodate four guests and two crew members. What trip to space is complete without floating in the air? Virgin Galactic’s guests will experience out-of-seat weightlessness for several minutes as the spaceship flips and can savor views of the Earth from its 17 windows. 

Reservations for this once-in-a-lifetime journey require a $150,000 deposit, but you can get most of your money back if you decide not to go—Virgin Galactic keeps a $25,000 Future Astronaut Community Access fee. 

Currently, according to a company spokesperson, there are about 700 people who are signed up for flights. Travelers who join them will get a confirmation of their trip in the way of an Astronaut Number as soon as they pay their deposits.

The total price includes membership into Virgin Galactic’s Future Astronaut community, access to special events with Sir Richard Branson, and extensive videos and pictures from their trips. 

Virgin Galactic debuted a new logo and website to coincide with the launch of sales. Both feature an indigo color palette that’s inspired by the last visible color of the Earth’s atmosphere before entering space.

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