Virgin Galactic raffles off two seats on commercial flight to space (Pinoys are welcome to join)
Dreaming of going to space like billionaire Richard Branson but you don’t have $250,000 to secure a seat? Join this sweepstakes and you might just make that dream come true.
Virgin Galactic founder Richard Branson with his crew of five recently flew to the edge of space via the VSS Unity space plane ahead of other billionaires, former Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos and SpaceX founder Elon Musk.
The successful 90-minute mission may have brought humanity a step closer to space tourism, but the fact is only a speck of the world’s population will be able to afford the $250,000 or P12.5 million ticket for the space flight.
Space is for all humanity, which is why we're giving YOU the chance to win 2 seats on one of the first @virgingalactic flights to space! ENTER NOW - all donations go to non-profit @spacehumanity: https://t.co/sjz1KV5f6z @omaze #Unity22 pic.twitter.com/pBzutUPJBl
— Richard Branson (@richardbranson) July 12, 2021
So far, there are reportedly 600 people from 58 countries that have reserved a ticket, including celebrities like Justin Bieber, Lady Gaga, Leonardo DiCaprio and Ashton Kutcher, according to Insider.
Right after his return from space, Branson announced his company and charity fundraising platform Omaze are giving away two seats on one of the first commercial flights of Virgin Galactic’s VSS Unity.
The Omaze Sweepstakes aims to raise funds to support Space for Humanity, a non-profit that seeks to “democratize space and send citizen astronauts of diverse racial, economic, and disciplinary backgrounds to space.”
The winning participant and his or her guest will make history as some of the first everyday citizens to travel aboard the same aircraft that brought Branson and his crew to space. The experience is set to take place in early 2022.
"To all you kids down there..." - @RichardBranson's message from zero gravity. #Unity22
— Virgin Galactic (@virgingalactic) July 11, 2021
Watch the livestream: https://t.co/5UalYT7Hjb pic.twitter.com/lYXHNsDQcU
How to enter the sweepstakes
For those interested to join, visit Omaze.com/space where you will find suggested donation amount options but you may also enter without donating. But when you donate, you will have more chances of winning. Check out the suggested amounts below:
$5 (P250) — 50 entries
$10 (P500) — 100 entries
$25 (P1,200) — 250 entries
$50 (P2,500) — 1,000 entries
$100 (P5,000) — 2,000 entries
Then fill out the entry form, which asks for your full name, e-mail and shipping address.
According to the official rules, those who are eligible to join are individuals who are 18 years old or older at the time of entry. Participants should also be legal residents of the United States or another country that is not in the “Prohibited Jurisdiction” list or the US’ embargoed countries, including the Philippines.
Submission of entries for the sweepstakes closes on Sept. 1 and the winner will be announced around Sept. 29.
What’s in store for the sweepstakes winners?
Aside from making history as some of the first Virgin Galactic commercial passengers, Omaze said, the winner and his or her guest will experience weightlessness and panoramic views of the earth from space.
They will also join Branson on a personal VIP tour of Spaceport America in New Mexico, the headquarters of Virgin Galactic located in New Mexico.
Though the full details of the flight have yet to be announced as of this writing, Omaze CEO and founder told USA Today that the winners will have an experience similar to Branson and they will have a “full Virgin Galactic experience.”
If a full Virgin Galactic experience is what’s in store for the winners, their trip may have the same inclusions as those who paid for their seats like a custom-tailored flight suit from Under Armour, and a two-day flight training program.
Who’s ready to take a shot at a free ride to space?
Banner and thumbnail photos from @virgingalactic on Instagram