Sat 07 August 2021:
Before flying from Earth to space from a base in New Mexico, Virgin Galactic founder Richard Branson remarked, “My mission statement is to make the fantasy of space travel become a reality – for my grandkids, for your grandchildren, for everyone.”
Now the company is restarting ticket sales for space tours beginning at $450,000, the Virgin Galactic announced Thursday.
The new price is about double the $200,000 to $250,000 paid by around 600 people who previously booked seats on Virgin’s spaceship between 2005 and 2014, as the company looks to cash in on the success of last month’s fully-crewed test flight.
“We are excited to announce the reopening of sales effective today,” said CEO Michael Colglazier in a statement, with first dibs going to people on a waiting list.
“As we endeavor to bring the wonder of space to a broad global population, we are delighted to open the door to an entirely new industry and consumer experience.”
In a battle of billionaires, Branson beat Blue Origin owner Jeff Bezos to space on July 11. Nine days later, Bezos accomplished his goal.
The offerings for customers will include a single seat; multi-seats for couples, friends or family; and a full-flight buyout.
Two free seats on an early flight are up for grabs in a prize draw, with registrations open until Sept. 1.
There will be one further test after the September mission, then the first commercial flights will take place in the third quarter of 2022, Colglazier said in an earnings call.
(Input with Agencies)
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