For those select few wealthy who have dreams of going to space, their dreams just got a little closer to reality. The roll out of "The White Knight 2" a twin fuselage heavy lift plane designed to carry the vehicle to take space tourist into sub-orbit marks an achievement in aerospace fuel efficiency and design. The craft is made entirely out of carbon composites and will carry "Spaceship 2" to its 50,000 ft launch zone.
Apparently the spaceship that is to take tourists into orbit is about 70% complete. Virgin Galatic's president Will Whitehorn said that the first flights will happen in either late 2009 or early 2010. This is good news for those that can afford the $200,000 ticket they have to pay to reserve their seat in the spaceship. A deposit for your ticket will cost you $20,000 which is not entirely affordable. But the company has up to seven of the launch vehicle and five of the spaceships on order which may reduce the price after they become fully operational.
If I could afford the price tag I would certainly already have purchased my ticket. As for Canadians, the wealthy among us may want to take a flight but the whole space tourism ideal is becoming a reality. How about you, would you want to cough up $200,000 to go into space?
Apparently the spaceship that is to take tourists into orbit is about 70% complete. Virgin Galatic's president Will Whitehorn said that the first flights will happen in either late 2009 or early 2010. This is good news for those that can afford the $200,000 ticket they have to pay to reserve their seat in the spaceship. A deposit for your ticket will cost you $20,000 which is not entirely affordable. But the company has up to seven of the launch vehicle and five of the spaceships on order which may reduce the price after they become fully operational.
If I could afford the price tag I would certainly already have purchased my ticket. As for Canadians, the wealthy among us may want to take a flight but the whole space tourism ideal is becoming a reality. How about you, would you want to cough up $200,000 to go into space?
Image: Wiki Media Commons
Source: Virgin Galactic unveils spaceship launch aircraft
13 comments:
I heard this on the news yesterday ... I certainly cannot afford it AND I'm afraid of flying (although two martinis will usually settle me down)! But the 5 minutes of weightlessness would be an awesome experience.
Hilary,
I certainly cannot afford it either, but if I save up my pennies, just maybe. The 5 minutes of weightlessness would be an awesome experience; it's just too bad the price tag is so high!
Wow, only $200,000...it's just a wee tad out of my price range. We can only dream :)
I wonder, at this price does this come with a hot breakfast, lunch and gourmet dinner? How long does one get to stay up there in space for such a price?
It's incredible how space travel is becoming a reality.
If I had the bucks, I would do it in a nanosecond! Just the ride to see earth from above would be a heck of a memory!
Marie,
I think the price tag comes with a few weeks of training and 5 minutes of weightlessness. I would think that they would feed you at a price that high.
Linda,
Viewing the Earth from that high up would definitely be a memory to last a lifetime. I wonder if they'd let you bring a camera with you or if you have to pay for a picture of you with the Earth just outside the window?
it's really nice if one can go in space. i would surely love to enjoy the scenic beauty of earth from space...that will be an increadible experience.
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I'm ready to go but my wallet isn't. I'm going to have to wait until the price isn't quite so astronomical. . . sorry.
@ Amrit
It certainly would be an incredible experience, I hope some day I will be able to afford it.
@ The cup is half full of something I don't like
I agree the price is a little astronomical at the moment. I'm sure the price tag will come down when they have more ships to carry people in to sub-orbit. We'll just have to wait.
too expensive...but if given the chance,time and resources, why not?
edelweiza,
Thanks for popping by and dropping a comment. I agree it is too expensive. It certain would be an awesome memory if given the time and resources.
Ever since I can remember, I often have dreams involving abstract sequences of space. Either I'm on Earth and the night sky is vivid with LARGE planets and colors and stars (like so close to Earth you can see their detail) or I'm actually in space on some type of adventure.
It's really awesome if one can go in area. i would absolutely really like have fun with the picturesque attractiveness of world from area...that will be an incredible encounter.
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