Virgin Galactic, one of Sir Richard Branson’s pioneering companies within the Virgin Group, just unveiled a new spaceship named VSS Unity. The name was given to the ship by the brilliant mind of the well-renowned professor Stephen Hawking who announced in a recorded speech, “I would be very proud to fly on this spaceship.”
Space travel technology advanced in leaps and bounds over the past few decades, and it was inevitable that one day the ability to wander among the stars would open up to the general public. The fatal crash in October 2014 of the VSS Enterprise caused concern for the safety of space travel, but that hasn’t held either the British billionaire or keen space-enthusiasts back. Sir Richard is planning several launches into the Earth’s sub-orbit this year. (You’re still in space despite the technical “sub” added to orbit.)
Virgin Galactic is not the only company getting its hands dirty with space travel; however, with SpaceX being a major competitor. While SpaceX has bigger aspirations, they do want to put you in space. The company, launched in 2002, plans to conduct 16 more launches in 2016.
However, the price for such an endeavor is not going to be within the budgets of many with deposits of $250,000 just to reserve a seat with Virgin Galactic. SpaceX claims to be able to reduce costs by reusing stages of the process, but it’s doubtful whether it’s going to be affordable for the likes of you or I in the near future.
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