Calay News
Virgin Galactic, the space tourism company founded by Richard Branson, has announced the highly anticipated launch of its commercial space flight service later this month. The inaugural spaceflight, named “Galactic 01,” is scheduled to take place between June 27 and June 30, according to the company’s recent announcement.
The first flight will involve three crew members from the Italian Air Force and the National Research Council of Italy, who will conduct microgravity research. The specific timing of the research flight will depend on weather conditions, but the window will span three days starting on June 27.
Following Galactic 01, “Galactic 02” is planned for early August, with the company aiming to offer monthly space flights thereafter. Virgin Galactic has been striving for years to provide paying customers with the opportunity to experience short space trips. In 2021, the company finally received federal government approval for its operations and successfully completed its final test flight in May.
Virgin Galactic’s space plane operates by being released from a carrier aircraft at an altitude of nearly 50,000 feet (15,000 meters) before igniting its rocket motor. Once in space, the plane shuts off, granting passengers a moment of silence, weightlessness, and a breathtaking view of Earth. The rocket ship then glides back to the runway at Spaceport America in the New Mexico desert.
Over the past decade, Virgin Galactic has sold approximately 800 tickets for its space flights. Initially priced at $200,000 each, the tickets now cost $450,000 per person. Early ticket holders have already received their seat assignments. The company faced setbacks and delays, leading to a significant drop in its shares last year. However, with the imminent launch of its commercial service, shares of Virgin Galactic saw an increase to $6.30 in after-market trading on Thursday.
