(qlmbusinessnews.com Thur, 10th Aug, 2023) London, UK —
Virgin Galactic successfully carried its maiden group of tourists to the brink of space, marking a significant achievement for the company founded by Sir Richard Branson. The historic flight, which lasted around 90 minutes, soared approximately 50 miles (80km) above the Earth.
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Former Olympic athlete Jon Goodwin, 80, hailing from Newcastle, was among the passengers on board the VSS Unity spaceplane. Having competed in canoeing during the 1972 Munich Olympics, Goodwin sees this venture as a way to inspire others, especially those facing challenges like his own battle with Parkinson's disease.
Accompanying him were Keisha Schahaff, 46, and 18-year-old Anastatia Mayers. The latter duo, originating from the Caribbean, gained distinction as the first astronauts from the region. Mayers, who studies physics and philosophy at the University of Aberdeen, clinched her place through a prize draw, exemplifying the democratization of space travel.
The VSS Unity took off from Spaceport America in New Mexico, with pilots CJ Sturckow and Kelly Latimer, alongside astronaut instructor Beth Moses, sharing the experience. After the spacecraft separated from its carrier plane, the VMS Eve, it ignited its rocket, propelling itself upwards for approximately a minute.
Cameras onboard and outside the VSS Unity captured the awe-inspiring moments when the passengers experienced weightlessness and beheld Earth's curvature. The spacecraft safely returned to Spaceport America, completing the historic journey.
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Virgin Galactic's accomplishment signifies a milestone in the budding space tourism industry, joining other companies like Blue Origin and SpaceX in the race to offer the general public a taste of space travel.
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