Branson Is Taking Tourism To A Record-Breaking Height - To The Space

By Okechukwu Okugo

Would you like to go to the moon or be able to see the space?

Many would answer in the affirmative, but going to the space was reserved exclusively for only astronauts. One man is here, today, to change the story.

British billionaire, Richard Branson owner of Virgin Galactic, a space tourism company is making it possible for civilians or all classes of people, who can afford it, to get out of our earth, feel and see what it would be like in the space, just the way astronauts do.

On Friday, 19th of February, 2016, he unveiled an upgraded version of a spaceship, ready to be subjected to a series of tough tests, to make sure it's fit hovering safely customers to and fro the earth and our universal space.

This jet-like commercial spacecraft named SpaceShipTwo, constructed by a team of 650 engineers, would make going to space a matter of tourism, by taking at most a crew of 2 and six passengers,
"To the edge of space, more than 62 miles (100 kilometers) above Earth."

Granted, no one would believe when the Space Race was in top gear, between world powers, as developing a space travelling capability was a matter of national pride, as well as a sign of national and scientific sophistication, that one man would one day, take the bold step of flying "everyone" to space for tourism.

But it is not coming without setbacks. Branson had told The Associated Press that, at some point,
"For about 24 hours we were wondering whether it was worth continuing," in making the goal of travelling to space for all, a reality, or, "Whether we should call it a day."

This was actually as a result of the event of 31st October, 2014, when the first spacecraft,  SpaceShipOne, they unveiled and were test-running in the space travel got crashed, killing the co-pilot. The pilot saving himself by successfully ejecting with a parachute, though with severe injuries.

Investigators according to AFP reports, found the cause of the crash to be human error, due to, "Premature brake deployment during test flight."

And that is why this newly unveiled spaceship, though it looked much physically like the first one that crashed, had been fully automated with much upgraded elements, to take care of any potential pilot and other errors. Reports also having it that the SpaceShipOne, had at one time, got to the edge of space in 2004.

For those wondering what the experience of this space travel might feel like; most certainly, it may as reported, seem to be a momentary feeling of weightlessness, due to the fact that the force of gravity does not operate beyond, in the space.

And also the ability to see the round earth from space.


Sir Richard Branson. Photo credit: AFP


It would certainly be an awesome feeling. Though it wouldn't be a cheap one.

The price of this trip has already been tagged, $250,000, with over 600 would-be astronauts already signing up for it.

The list includes Hollywood stars, music stars and others.

Though, Branson, acknowledged he got the strength to continue in this history-making project from the encouragement he got from engineers, astronauts, and members of the public, which had helped reminding him, nothing historic or monumental comes without challenges.

That is why the question of whether he would succeed now or not is out of the way, because from the standpoint of some very vital criteria, they had shown the will to succeed.

In terms of the right attitude, it was reported that Branson told Sky News,
"We're not going to hurry it, it will go step by step and when our test pilots say we're ready, then I'll go up and that will be the start of bringing other people up as well."

In terms of safety and precaution, not only would the commercial spacecraft be subjected to thorough gliding and flight tests, but also would be strictly mechanically and electrically tested.

And Branson was also quoted as saying:
"The most important thing is that we get the test program done and completed so we can send people safely into space hundreds of times in the year to come."

In terms of gathering the right kind of experienced experts for the project, it seems he's got it also.

Seeing as many as 650 professional engineers and other experts working on the project, may have prompted Charles Miller, president of NexGen Space, a spaceflight consulting firm, as reported, to have declared with assurance to The Associated Press, that it seems, very soon,

 "We'll have multiple vehicles flying people to space."

Do you love to dare it bold and big? Are you curious and adventurous in nature? Are you interested in engaging in fascinating tourist travels?

Then get ready to ride to space, if you can afford it.  

SpaceShipTwo        Photo credit: The Verge