WITH THE FIRST-EVER PUBLICLY OFFERED TICKET TO SPACE, RICHARD BRANSON’S VIRGIN GALACTIC FLEET IS MAKING HISTORY AND FOR A COOL $450,000, YOU TOO CAN BE A PART OF IT

BY MATTHEW MIZRACH

As manned space light has ventured out from under the auspices of government agencies like NASA and into the domain of private enterprise, a 21st century arms race has begun between eccentric billionaires who have made it their mission to bring the cosmos to the masses (rather, the wealthy masses). From Elon Musk’s SpaceX to Je Bezos’ Blue Origin, strides are made every day in developing new technologies that will make space travel safer, more economical, and, most importantly, more accessible. On this front, perhaps none have been more tenacious than Virgin Group founder Richard Branson, who founded Virgin Galactic Airways back in 2004. Although Elon Musk and SpaceX made history with the Inspiration4’s all-civilian mission back in September 2021, it would seem that Branson has set an even more historic precedent. Now, for the modest price of $450,000, you too can experience the wonders of space flight firsthand aboard Virgin Galactic’s commercial flight (the first of which was dubbed Unity 22). As long as you can pass the application process, which includes a health screening, and can put down a $150,000 deposit 25K of which is non-refundable you can book your ticket to what is being dubbed the greatest show above earth. The flight is suborbital, so while you will experience the full effects of being in space (like zero gravity, not to mention an unforgettable view of our blue planet), don’t expect to be moon-hopping any time soon.

Virgin Galactic SpaceFlight
$450,000, VirginGalactic.com