Sir Richard Branson’s Virgin Galactic will open ticket sales to the general public tomorrow (February 16) for 90-minute flights to the edge of space.
The first commercial flights will take off towards the end of 2022, with tickets costing $450,000 – more than £330,000. Customers must pay an initial deposit of $150,000 (about £110,000).
Michael Colglazier, Virgin Galactic chief executive, said: “We plan to have our first 1,000 customers on board at the start of the commercial service later this year.”
The flight will take passengers 300,000 feet (57 miles) above the earth, offering the chance to experience several minutes of ‘out-of-seat-weightlessness’ and ‘breath-taking’ views from the spaceship’s 17 windows.
Flights will take off from Spacesport America in New Mexico and ticketholders will attend training programmes in the days leading up to the launch.
A reservation also provides membership to the Future Astronaut community which will grant access to events, trips and activities before the space flight.
Virgin Galactic has also unveiled a new brand identity (pictured) to mark the launch of ticket sales to the public.
Blair Rich, president and chief business officer of commercial and consumer operations, said: “A global, commercial spaceline demands an iconic and timeless brand. It is important that our brand represents our dynamic customer offering, and speaks to our unique experience, style and service.”
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