Virgin Galactic Launches First Space Tourist Mission

After nearly two decades of anticipation, Virgin Galactic achieved a significant milestone today by successfully sending its first private astronaut customers on a suborbital spaceflight. 

The VSS Unity spaceplane, attached to its VMS Eve mothership aircraft, took off from Spaceport America at approximately 10:20 a.m. Eastern. This event marked a momentous achievement for both the company and the commercial spaceflight industry. At 11:17 a.m. Eastern, the VSS Unity was gracefully released from its mothership, VMS Eve, and initiated its hybrid rocket motor, propelling the vehicle into space.

Credit : Virgin Galactic

The spaceplane soared to a peak altitude of about 88.5 kilometers before embarking on its graceful glide back to Earth.

Credit : Virgin Galactic

The Galactic 02 mission culminated in a smooth landing at 11:32 a.m. Eastern at Spaceport America. 

Credit : Virgin Galactic

The mission unfolded as planned, showcasing the culmination of years of development and testing.

Dubbed "Galactic 02," this mission is a historic leap for Virgin Galactic, as it signifies the company's shift from research flights to carrying private space tourists.

Among the passengers on Galactic 02 was Jon Goodwin, an 80-year-old former Olympian who represented Great Britain in the 1972 Summer Olympics. Goodwin has continued to lead an adventurous life, even after being diagnosed with Parkinson's Disease in 2014. His participation in this landmark flight serves as a testament to the inclusive nature of space exploration. 

Also onboard were mother/daughter duo, Keisha Schahaff and Anastatia Mayers, representing Antigua and Barbuda. Schahaff won a contest organized by the nonprofit organization Space For Humanity in 2021, earning two seats on this inaugural commercial SpaceShipTwo flight. Her decision to take her daughter along adds a heartwarming touch to this pioneering journey.

Credit : Virgin Galactic

Inside the cabin, Beth Moses, Virgin Galactic's chief astronaut trainer, experienced her fourth suborbital spaceflight. The spaceplane's operations were under the command of CJ Sturckow, a veteran of four SpaceShipTwo flights and four space shuttle missions, with Kelly Latimer serving as pilot on her debut spaceflight.

The mission also holds sentimental value, as it brings fulfillment to the aspirations of the company's earliest ticket buyers, who invested in the vision of suborbital spaceflight as far back as 2005. Virgin Galactic's executives have outlined their ambitious plans for the future, aiming to launch Unity on a monthly basis.

Ticket prices for a flight with Virgin Galactic have evolved from an initial cost of $200,000 to the current price of $450,000. Despite a backlog of approximately 800 customers, the revenue generated from these early flights is projected to be relatively modest, primarily due to the lower ticket prices established for early adopters. The company anticipates increasing revenue per flight as they progress into 2024, with the goal of adding a fourth paying customer.

With the promise of more frequent flights and a growing roster of adventurers, the future of space tourism appears brighter than ever before.