Virgin Galactic is searching for 1,000 folks to purchase its $450,000 spaceflight tickets | Engadget

Now that Virgin Galactic has a working spaceflight system, it must promote rides. The firm has announced that it is opening ticket sales to most people beginning on February sixteenth, letting you turn out to be an astronaut in case you’re prepared to pay $450,000 and put down a $150,000 deposit. To mark the launch of public gross sales, Virgin Galactic revealed new client branding (above). 

“We plan to have our first 1,000 customers on board at the start of commercial service later this year, providing an incredibly strong foundation as we begin regular operations and scale our fleet,” mentioned Virgin Galactic CEO Michael Colglazier in an announcement. 

For that $450K, you will get a 90-minute trip to the sting of area together with the “signature air launch and Mach-3 boost to space,” the corporate mentioned. Passengers will take pleasure in a number of minutes of weightlessness and spectacular views of Earth from the 17 home windows, because it confirmed in a brand new video (under). The ticket additionally contains a number of days of astronaut coaching, a fitted Under Armour spacesuit, and membership within the Future Astronaut group. All flights launch from Spaceport America in New Mexico.

The sub-orbital spaceflights positively aren’t low cost, however are far lower than the $55 million you will pay for an orbital 10-day SpaceX flight. Virgin Galactic’s foremost competitor is Jeff Bezos’ Blue Origin, although that firm has yet to decide on a ultimate worth for its suborbital tickets. Virgin Galactic was initially set to launch public and business analysis flights final 12 months, however they have been delayed till 2022.

As of late final 12 months, the corporate had bought 100 tickets to area on the up to date $450,000 ticket worth. Around 700 people, together with Elon Musk, have made reservations.