Space Tourism: Tesla CEO Elon Musk buys $250,000 ticket to space from billionaire Richard Branson's Virgin Galactic; company aims to conduct 400 flights per year
It was the 22nd test flight of Virgin Galactic's VSS Unity and the first test flight with a full crew in the cabin.
Billionaire Richard Branson on Sunday touched the edge of space with three employees, including one of Indian-origin, and landed safely back to Earth, on board his company Virgin Galactic's VSS Unity. It was the 22nd test flight of VSS Unity and the first test flight with a full crew in the cabin. It was an "experience of a lifetime. There are no words to describe the feeling.
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This is space travel. This is a dream turned reality. If we can do this… Imagine what else we can do," said the 70-year-old billionaire talking about his voyage to space.
Billionaire Richard Branson's Virgin Galactic aims to fly two more flights, then start regular commercial operations from early 2022. The ultimate goal is to conduct 400 flights per year. The company has already sold nearly 600 tickets, with each ticket costing nearly $250,000.
Saying that Space is for all humanity, he also offered the chance to win 2 seats on one of the first Virgin Galactic flights to space! He tweeted, " 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://bit.ly/3wkWX8R @omaze #Unity22."
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
Meanwhile, SpaceX and Tesla CEO Elon Musk, who claims to be living in a modest $50,000, 37-square-metre prefab guest house in Boca Chica, Texas, has bought a $250,000 ticket to
space from fellow billionaire Richard Branson's Virgin Galactic, reported IANS.
Quoting the Wall Street Journal reports, IANS said that Musk had bought a ticket for his space ride before Branson touched the edge of space on Sunday.
"It is unclear how far up the waiting list Musk is for a seat. Virgin Galactic said its tickets have sold for $250,000 each, and the company has collected $80 million in sales and deposits," the report said on Monday.
In an interview with Sunday Times, Branson said: "Elon's a friend and maybe I'll travel on one of his ships one day.
In a pre-flight tweet, Branson said: "Thanks for being so typically supportive and such a good friend, Elon. Great to be opening up space for all - safe travels and see you at Spaceport America!".
Musk responded: "Will see you there to wish you the best".
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01:37 PM IST