After the inaugural flight that saw Richard Branson as protagonist, Virgin Galactic is already looking to the near future, with a project that will involve Italian passengers. Last 11 July the founder enjoyed reaching the boundaries of space, more or less, but now the flight schedule is on the verge of being restarted, complete with ticket sales active again.
The cost of a trip aboard Branson's modified plane has increased dramatically, by as much as $ 200. The price is now well 450 thousand dollars for a single ticket. Meanwhile, the next trip is already planned, which the company explained "will generate revenues". Countdown to the end of September, when a crew of the Italian Air Force.
Virgin Galactic, Italians on board
Virgin Galactic's next planned trip will have little to do with pure fun for the rich. There will be very specific scientific objectives, with a higher cost than the standard ticket. The company is open to missions such as that of the Italian Air Force, aimed at carrying out research in conditions of microgravity o professionally train astronauts. All at a cost of $ 600 per seat. A project explained in detail by Michael Colglazier, CEO of the company, during the quarterly conference.
These flights will therefore be more than just luxury entertainment for the few in the world who can afford them. Missions of this type do not represent a sudden change in Virgin's project plan, far from it. The basic idea has always been to divide the table into two sections, between “tourism” and research.
The agreement dates back to October 2019 and in reality this mission should have taken place earlier. The postponement was necessary due to electromagnetic interference on the system computers at the end of 2020. The departure is scheduled in New Mexico and four people will board. Of these three will be members of the military corps and one of the National Research Council.
There will be tests in microgravity conditions for medical and materials research. Therefore, they will bring with them material and scientific instruments. All of this inevitably throws another light on the Branson project. The SS2 Unity aircraft will also have the task of acquiring technical-logistical knowledge on the chances of to make spaceplans take off from the Italian territory, once the national airports in spaceports have been adapted.
A spaceport in Italy
Will space travel be normal? It is still too early to look at a reality of this kind but, of course, we will begin to speak more frequently of flights to the borders of the Earth's orbit, for pleasure and for study.
Italy could also adapt in this sense, as evidenced by the link with Virgin Galactic, which dates back to 2016. At the time, Altec, a company owned by the Italian Space Agency, and Thales Alenia Space, signed a memorandum of understanding with the Branson's company. The basic idea was to evaluate one spaceport at the Taranto-Grottaglie plant.
Agreement signed with the participation of the US State Department and Sitael, the largest private space company in Italy, ready to provide technical assistance. A look at the near future of Italy, therefore, with Virgin ready to have flights operated by its sister company, The Spaceship company.
Virgin Galactic's upcoming trips
After the flight with Italian crew, the company will dedicate itself to further development of its available means. It will therefore leave room for an internal group, probably led by the ex to George Whitesides, and then return to offer a commercial route.
For the latter we will talk about "Unity 25", expected in the autumn of 2022. A project that sees numerous VIPs on the waiting list, including Lady Gaga, Leonardo DiCaprio and Elon Musk. A virtual queue of 600 people, with an initial presale of 200-250 thousand dollars closed in 2014. Three purchase options, for those interested:
- single seat
- multi place for couples, friends and family
- whole flight
