On Thursday, Virgin Galactic successfully conducted its inaugural flight carrying passengers beyond the edge of space. Among the passengers were a mother-daughter duo from the Caribbean and a former British Olympic athlete who had purchased tickets 18 years prior.
The flight was of short duration, with the spaceplane gliding back to the runway and making a smooth landing at the Spaceport America in New Mexico, USA. During the flight, the passengers experienced several minutes of weightlessness, marking the triumphant achievement of the first private customer flight. Richard Branson, the visionary behind Virgin Galactic, embraced a new era in the realm of space tourism.
The realization of this significant milestone, despite years of delays, now paves the way for Virgin Galactic to commence monthly passenger services. This achievement positions Virgin Galactic as a prominent player in the space tourism industry, standing alongside Jeff Bezos' Blue Origin and Elon Musk's SpaceX.
"I believe this ranks among the most remarkable accomplishments of my life," expressed Jon Goodwin, who had participated in the kayaking event at the 1972 Olympics. The excitement in his voice was palpable as he conveyed how this space journey had offered an unprecedented experience, infusing fresh impetus into the burgeoning space tourism sector.
The flight was of short duration, with the spaceplane gliding back to the runway and making a smooth landing at the Spaceport America in New Mexico, USA. During the flight, the passengers experienced several minutes of weightlessness, marking the triumphant achievement of the first private customer flight. Richard Branson, the visionary behind Virgin Galactic, embraced a new era in the realm of space tourism.
The realization of this significant milestone, despite years of delays, now paves the way for Virgin Galactic to commence monthly passenger services. This achievement positions Virgin Galactic as a prominent player in the space tourism industry, standing alongside Jeff Bezos' Blue Origin and Elon Musk's SpaceX.
"I believe this ranks among the most remarkable accomplishments of my life," expressed Jon Goodwin, who had participated in the kayaking event at the 1972 Olympics. The excitement in his voice was palpable as he conveyed how this space journey had offered an unprecedented experience, infusing fresh impetus into the burgeoning space tourism sector.