Billionaire Richard Branson has fulfilled his long-held dream. For seventeen years, his company, Virgin Galactic, has been trying to successfully reach the edge of space, which it succeeded on July 11.
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Branson thus became the first billionaire to take part in a similar test flight of his own company.
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Traders praised the success of Branson’s company in trading on Monday, with Virgin Galactic’s share price up about seven percent in pre-sale, and the stock is currently trading at about $ 50.
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The era of space tourism is beginning
The trip itself beyond the edge of the Earth’s atmosphere represents a turning point in the space tourism industry. Virgin Galactic intends to undertake two more test flights before the company begins commercial flights. According to the company’s CEO Michael Colglazier, four Italian astronauts will also take part in one of them.
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The Branson Company intends to start operations for the general public in early 2022.
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“As a child, I dreamed of looking at the stars. I am now an adult in a spaceship, looking down on our beautiful Earth. For the next generation of dreamers: If we can do it, imagine what you can do, ”Branson told the young people who had watched the flight.
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Virgin Galactic has stated that 600 people have already booked a flight to the edge of space. The price of one ticket is around $ 250,000, which is more than five million crowns.
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Branson’s company will also let those interested in the flight compete with Virgin Galactic. “The universe is for everyone, so we give you the chance to win two seats on the first commercial space flight,” the billionaire said on his Twitter account.
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Blue Origin pointed to shortcomings
But Branson is not the only billionaire about to conquer the frontier of space. He will be followed by Amazon founder Jeff Bezos, who will also look into space aboard his Blue Origin aircraft.
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According to Branson, this is not a competition, Virgin Galactic is said to be working on its own timeline and is focusing carefully on security, Reuters reported.
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However, Bezos’s Blue Origin did not forgive allusions to Branson’s company. According to a tweet from Blue Origin, the Virgin Galactic aircraft does not cross the Kármán border at a height of 100 km, which is an internationally recognized border between the Earth’s atmosphere and space. However, the US Air Force and NASA define a key boundary at a distance of 80 km above the Earth, Branson’s crew flew at a height slightly exceeding 90 km.
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In addition, Blue Origin compares the size of windows, the escape system and the impact on the environment.
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From the beginning, New Shepard was designed to fly above the Kármán line so none of our astronauts have an asterisk next to their name. For 96% of the world’s population, space begins 100 km up at the internationally recognized Kármán line. pic.twitter.com/QRoufBIrUJ
— Blue Origin (@blueorigin) July 9, 2021
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Although Blue Origin did not forgive himself for stabbing his competitor, its owner Jeff Bezos wished his colleague Branson a successful and safe flight. After a successful landing, he stated that he was very much looking forward to his flight, which should take place on July 20.
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“Congratulations on your flight. I can’t wait to join the club, “Bezos said in his instagram account. In addition to Bezos, his brother and pilot “Mercury 13” Wally Funk will also take part in the flight. The crew will also be joined by the winner of a mysterious auction, who paid $ 28 million for the ticket.
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Change in airspace
As Virgin Galactic and Blue Origin take major steps toward commercial services, the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) must respond. On Thursday, the office announced that it had activated a system to monitor launches and re-entry into space.
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“It is a crucial tool because the number of users of the already busy airspace is increasing. Thanks to this, we will be able to safely and quickly regulate the number of aircraft and other objects in the airspace, “said FAA administrator Steve Dickson of the server. Investors.
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Last year, the FAA said it had handled 45 space launches, but the regulator said it could break the record this year with more than 70 similar takeoffs expected.
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