Got P23 million to spare? You can now book a seat for a Virgin Galactic flight to space
Life on earth can be frustrating sometimes. But thanks to the mega-billionaires, space tourism is now possible, even just to get away from this planet for just 90 minutes. Well, that’s helpful if you have hundreds of thousands of dollars to spare.
After a few successful missions in space, Virgin Galactic, founded by billionaire Richard Branson, announced that it is opening spaceflight reservations for the general public starting Feb. 16. These spaceflights will take place later this year.
The aerospace and air travel company said in a statement that the open ticket sales “will provide everyone with the chance to secure one of the first spaceflight reservations.”
The price for each ticket? A whopping $450,000 or P23 million per seat. The company also requires a $150,000 (P7.7 million) deposit with the full amount due before flight.
According to CNN Business, Virgin Galactic already has some 600 reservations from the first batch of its ticket sales, with each seat priced at $200,000 (P10.3 million) to $250,000 (P12.8 million).
People from 58 countries have reportedly reserved a ticket, including celebrities like Justin Bieber, Lady Gaga and Leonardo DiCaprio, according to Insider. In 2021, Ashton Kutcher revealed in an interview with Cheddar News that he sold his ticket (which he purchased in 2012) back to Virgin Galactic at the behest of his wife, actress Mila Kunis.
When one secures a Virgin Galactic spaceflight reservation, one is given an access to the Future Astronaut membership community, which according to the company is designed to “bring inspiration, excitement, and adventure” from the time of ticket purchase to spaceflight and beyond.
Members can also enjoy “money-can’t-buy” experiences, events, trips and space-readiness activities while they wait for their spaceflight.
What’s in store for those who will be able to snag a ticket for themselves?
First, the participants will have several days of spaceflight preparedness activities at the Spaceport America in New Mexico, where the spaceflight wil launch.
The “future astronauts” will stay with their guests in custom accommodations. They will also be treated to bespoke itineraries and world-class amenities during their astronaut-specific training programs.
They will also be owners of an Under Armour spacewear system that is specially designed for “comfort and maneuverability” during weightlessness.
During the 90-minute spaceflight, passengers of the spaceship will experience a “signature air launch and Mach-3 boost” to the edge of space.
The spaceship will then “gracefully flip” while passengers enjoy several minutes of out-of-seat weightlessness and panoramic views of the earth from the vessel’s 17 windows.
“Upon return from this transformational experience, astronauts will begin a meaningful journey to create positive impact with the perspective that can only come from seeing our beautiful planet from space,” Virgin Galactic said in a statement.
Aside from commercial spaceflights, the company also offers research spaceflights to the scientific community.
Literal out-of-this-world experiences are no longer reserved for the future, as these all-male mega-billionaires brought the future (for a speck of the world's population) in the now.
