Become An Astronaut For The Day And Journey Into Space!

Space. The final frontier. But maybe not for much longer if Richard Branson’s dream of affordable space tourism comes true. Because by the end of this decade, Virgin Galactic is planning to make it possible for almost anyone who can afford the fare to journey into space.

Have you journeyed to the edge of space or are you planning on doing so? If so we would love to hear all about your experiences (perhaps with a photo or two). You can contact us via our contact page.

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Space Tourism: Do You Want to Go?
Price: £10.59
10% of list price
Welcome Aboard! Space is only 100 miles away from anywhere on Earth. Since the early 1980s a small group of visionaries have been pioneering the frontier of off-world tourism. Overcoming significant obstacles, their quest to start the space tourism industry was achieved on 28 April 2001, when American businessman Dennis Tito lifted-off from Russia into Earth orbit for a week-long voyage aboard the International Space station. He was the first space tourist. Since then another space tourist has flown, and many more are lining up for the opportunity. In the future, space passengers will float and dance in zero gravity, swim in spheres of warm coloured water, enjoy games, saunas, exercise, massage, shopping and world class entertainment. Will youi be one of them?
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Up until now, space travel has been the preserve of astronauts who endure months of training at the cost of millions of pounds. That’s why so few people have ever ventured into space.

But thanks to the work of Burt Rutan and Scaled Composites, a private manned space program is being developed using affordable efficient and reusable spaceships like SpaceShipOne. And Richard Branson’s Virgin Galactica has licensed this technology to become the world’s first commercial space tourism operator.

The first flights aboard Virgin Galactic are expected to take place in 2008 or 2009 if everything goes to plan. And if you’re interested, you can sign on the dotted line at the Virgin Galactic to make your seat reservation or just to be kept up to date with developments.

When the time comes, instead of months of training, you will need just a few days familiarisation and medical assessment before the countdown begins.

. . . 5, 4, 3, 2, 1. We have lift off!

A mother ship will carry you and your fellow passengers aboard your spacecraft to almost 10 miles above sea level. Then once released, your astronaut pilot will ignite the engine and have you travelling towards space faster than a speeding bullet. Literally.

As you look out of your window, the sky will change from cobalt blue to mauve and indigo and finally to black. The stars will shine clear and bright - even though it is daytime!

And when the rocket motor cuts out and everything is quiet, you will experience weightlessness firsthand.

You are in space! An incredible 62 miles above sea level!

Looking back at planet Earth, you will be able to see a thousand miles in any direction. The equivalent of seeing North Africa from above London.

It will be humbling. It will be spiritual. And unfortunately, it will be expensive too.

The price per seat on each flight is expected to cost around £115,000. A snip compared to the US$20 million that billionaire Dennis Tito paid the Russian Space Agency to fly aboard a Russian Soyuz rocket and spend a week at the International Space Station. But still a lot of money.

Better start saving those pennies!



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