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| Above: SpaceShipTwo. Its first glide flight was achieved in 2010 and first powered flight in 2013. |
Virgin Galactic begins offering private
suborbital spaceflights
In 2011, the world's first commercial spaceport opened in the state of New Mexico, USA.* However, it was not until three years later that Virgin Galactic (its anchor tenant) began offering private flights to paying customers. Sir Richard Branson himself would be the first passenger on SpaceShipTwo, along with his two children, in what was billed as "one of the most memorable events on television".* Travelling at Mach 3.4, it reaches a height of nearly 70 miles (112 km) with six minutes of zero-G, before returning safely to Earth. A fleet of five spaceplanes enter commercial service following this successful demonstration, at $200,000 per person.
In 2011, the world's first commercial spaceport opened in the state of New Mexico, USA.* However, it was not until three years later that Virgin Galactic (its anchor tenant) began offering private flights to paying customers. Sir Richard Branson himself would be the first passenger on SpaceShipTwo, along with his two children, in what was billed as "one of the most memorable events on television".* Travelling at Mach 3.4, it reaches a height of nearly 70 miles (112 km) with six minutes of zero-G, before returning safely to Earth. A fleet of five spaceplanes enter commercial service following this successful demonstration, at $200,000 per person.
Reference
"Without a doubt, Sir Richard and his children taking the first commercial flight into space will go down in history as one of the most memorable events on television."
See NBCUNIVERSAL ANNOUNCES EXCLUSIVE PARTNERSHIP WITH SIR RICHARD BRANSON'S VIRGIN GALACTIC TO TELEVISE FIRST COMMERCIAL FLIGHT TO SPACE, Virgin Galactic:
http://www.virgingalactic.com/news/item/nbcuniversal-announces-exclusive-partnership-with-sir-richard-bransons-virgin-galactic-to-televis/
Accessed 14th December 2013.
See NBCUNIVERSAL ANNOUNCES EXCLUSIVE PARTNERSHIP WITH SIR RICHARD BRANSON'S VIRGIN GALACTIC TO TELEVISE FIRST COMMERCIAL FLIGHT TO SPACE, Virgin Galactic:
http://www.virgingalactic.com/news/item/nbcuniversal-announces-exclusive-partnership-with-sir-richard-bransons-virgin-galactic-to-televis/
Accessed 14th December 2013.
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