Posted on 01/01/2014 3:34:21 PM PST by 2ndDivisionVet
Virgin Galactic space travel is aiming to revolutionize commercial air travel at its best, with the launching of the first ever space tourism flight next year, which took nine long years in the making.
Although the space travel will be available to those who can afford the $250,000 ticket, the space travel company wants to bring this to the masses; it also aims to provide an ultimate passenger experience that no other air company has ever offered before.
With the first ever commercial space travel flight on its way, the giant company aims to "push long-haul air travel above the atmosphere," as told by, Stephen Attenborough, Virgin Galactic's Commercial Director, to FTE.
"You could do London to Sydney in two hours. Imagine it; for some flights you'd be standing in the immigration queue for longer than the flight! This is feasible, but it's not simple. It would have to be done in a number of stages, but we have to take the first steps first.
"We have to prove we can transport people with the safety and regularity of a commercial airline. Richard (Branson, Founder of the Virgin Group) is very confident we will get there. Lots of components are already there but it needs to be commercialised."
He further explained that "maturing industry, competition and investment in R&D" is the key to bring down the ticket prices, a way to bring the service that is intended for the wealthy to the masses.
In the meantime, Attenborough wants to focus on what would the passengers experience in the upcoming Virgin Galactic space travel.
He explained that every aspect of the passenger journey has been carefully planned to ensure the consumers that their expectations will not just be met, but will be exceeded.
"Unlike commercial air travel, the flight is the experience," Attenborough told FTE. "It's a much more intense and uplifting experience."
The first batch of passengers for the commercial space travel is going to experience something different from the Spaceport America, unlike what travelers usually experience at an airport.
"We spend three days with the future astronauts in New Mexico before the flight to prepare them for the sensory overload, free them from any anxiety, and make sure they are well informed, safe and ready to enjoy the flight."
Before take-off, there will be no long queues or last-minute checks, just a journey down a long escalator and a walk through a friends and family area, before taking a seat on the groundbreaking SpaceShipTwo. The flight itself will be like something from a Hollywood movie. After a calm take-off and a cruise up to 50,000 feet, the spaceship will be released from its carrier and, according to Attenborough, "the astronaut presses a button and everything changes very quickly."
The SpaceShipTwo will reach the speed of sound in approximately six seconds where the passengers will feel 3.5-Gs of force from the front to back. "We've made sure you can look out of the front windscreen past the astronauts, so you can truly experience the blackness of space in broad daylight," Attenborough claimed. "You will be able to watch the sky go from blue to purple to black."
"When the engine goes off, there's absolute silence. You don't weigh anything and you can get out of your seat to experience a few minutes of weightlessness."
The Virgin Galactic space travel aims to bring ultimate space experience to the passengers, something that would allow them to view Earth from orbit as they can get as close as possible to the windows.
"The experience will be delivered in a way people would expect from us. Safety is first and foremost, but the experience of the G-force, zero gravity and the views from space are right up there," Attenborough explained. "The aim is for people to enjoy each stage of the flight to the full."
Branson is a modern day pioneer who puts his own money into his dreams of dreams of revolutionizing travel. I would not bet against him although I think his timelines are too optimistic.
” I would not bet against him although I think his timelines are too optimistic.”
The envirowackos haven’t weighed in yet and they will.
Next year? Pretty ambitious schedule. Time will tell.
Cool, but... Not... For... Me...
I wonder what the fuel cost per mile would be, and how many passengers each craft could hold.
London to Sydney in 2 hours...AKA HST....about a 50 YEAR OLD IDEA....
Plus 1 hour for TSA groping, and 2 to 3 hours to get to the launch site.
No way will NY or London allow city center rocket launches.
Heck, the way it looks now a Los Angeles rocket launch may be from New Mexico...:^)
The whole idea will come crashing down to earth...
er...
I mean, the whole idea will be scrapped upon the first incident...
er...
I mean, accident.
liquefied natural gas, nuclear power, thorium reactor, or hydrogen fuel-cells must be taken into consideration to be used as fuel. Before the chicken littles come on board and scream about catastrophes, jet fuel can explode and kill you just as quickly.
Next, the planes need to be remodified and experimental "alien" type aircraft must be assembled. If engineers would make aircraft more circular, there would be more room for passengers. Also, this would revolutionize commercial cargo - think if we can squeeze 50 or so 40" containers for shipping, which would free up congestion at the ports.
Just some thoughts to chew on, before dreading to go back to work tomorrow.
The vehicle they’re talking about takes off from a runway. The rocket engine is lit in midair. The bigger issue is the landing, which is an unpowered glide. Can’t do that at a busy civilian airport.
> Although the space travel will be available to those who can afford the $250,000 ticket, the space travel company wants to bring this to the masses; it also aims to provide an ultimate passenger experience that no other air company has ever offered before. With the first ever commercial space travel flight on its way, the giant company aims to “push long-haul air travel above the atmosphere,” as told by, Stephen Attenborough, Virgin Galactic’s Commercial Director, to FTE.
Perhaps it’s possible, but the brilliant engineers at aerospace contractors to the world’s militaries have never found an effective way to do this that would cost less than ballistic missiles.
Thanks 2ndDivisionVet. Extra to X-Planets.
“...$250,000 ticket...”
Well there be an additional charge for baggage?
No room for baggage that will arrive a few days later.
At the costs, it’ll be a novelty item. Improved Concorde type aircraft would be more feasible as an alternative.
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