space travel Archives - Page 2 of 6

Richard Branson unveiled the exclusive winner of two seats on a Virgin Galactic commercial space flight

November 24, 2021 by Editorial Team

Virgin Galactic and Sir Richard Branson’s Omaze sweepstakes raised an anticipated $1.7M in grants to support Space for Humanity’s mission to democratize space travel.

A lifelong stargazer get to experience space.

Omaze, the charity fundraising platform that offers the chance to win once-in-a-lifetime experiences and prizes, and Virgin Galactic, revealed that Keisha S. from Antigua and Barbuda is the exclusive winner of two seats on a Virgin Galactic commercial space flight. Born and raised in Antigua, Keisha is a health and energy coach who is passionate about empowering women to live their best lives. She has always had a lifelong dream of going to space, and hopes to bring her daughter, an astrophysics student, as her guest on this incredible journey.

The sweepstakes kicked off in July following Virgin Galactic’s historic Unity 22 mission, and drew donations from 164,338 people around the world in eight weeks to raise a projected $1.7M in grants benefiting Space for Humanity and their Citizen Astronaut Program. These anticipated grants from Charities Aid Foundation America (CAF America), will help Space for Humanity transform perspectives and train candidates to ensure an inclusive future in space.

“Being able to give people of all ages and backgrounds equal access to space, and in turn, the opportunity to lead and inspire others back on Earth, is what Virgin Galactic has been building towards for the past two decades,” said Sir Richard Branson, Virgin Galactic Founder. “It was remarkable to be there for the beginning of Keisha’s journey to space; she is an extraordinary person who is already inspiring people with the work she does to support women in her home of Antigua and Barbuda. This experience will provide another platform for her to inspire many more people into the future. I couldn’t be happier to see the mission of Virgin Galactic come to life and to work with such amazing partners like Omaze and Space for Humanity in our continued commitment to make space accessible to all.”

Omaze offers people the chance to win once-in-a-lifetime experiences to support charities around the world. Their unique model allows for people who dream big to experience truly out of this world opportunities.

“We couldn’t be more thrilled to announce Keisha as the winner of our biggest experience offering to date,” said Matt Pohlson, CEO and Co-Founder of Omaze. “Omaze exists to dream the world better. Not only will a lifelong stargazer get to experience space, but this also helps Space for Humanity open up that opportunity to even more people. Because of that, the partnership with Virgin Galactic and Space for Humanity was a dream come true for Omaze too.”

Keisha will also join Virgin Galactic’s Future Astronaut community, as the first person from the Caribbean islands. The Future Astronaut community is an established and growing family of 700 individuals from over 60 countries, all united by a shared passion for adventure and the desire to push the boundaries of humankind. Through being a member of this community, Keisha and her fellow Future Astronauts will be invited to participate in extraordinary experiences to make new connections and prepare for their journey into space. Along with space anticipation and space readiness, the Future Astronaut community uses its collective power as a force for good by inspiring students to study STEM through their involvement with Galactic Unite.

“I’ve always had a lifelong love of flying and a fascination with space, and this is truly a dream come true for me,” said Keisha. “It means the world to me. I hope to share this experience with my daughter, so together we can inspire the next generation to follow their dreams.”

In addition to experiencing the wonder of space travel, Keisha will receive a guided tour of Spaceport America, the world’s first purpose-built Spaceport in New Mexico, from Sir Richard Branson and the Virgin Galactic team.

With Space Balloon you can see the full blackness of space and 450 miles in every direction on Earth

June 25, 2021June 24, 2021 by Editorial Team

Space Perspective have reimagined space travel. Instead of rocketing away from the Earth at high velocity, you ascend on a gentle, yet thrilling journey and look back at our planet from an entirely new perspective. The space balloon will start flying space passengers in 2024. The most breathtaking Six Hours of Your Life … Read more

Want to become the world’s first tourist astronaut? This seat will change how you see the world

May 31, 2021May 28, 2021 by Editorial Team

Bid For the Very First Space Seat on New Shepard. Jeff Bezos space-tourism venture Blue Origin marks the beginning of the space-tourism race with the world’s most expensive first-class ticket. On July 20th, New Shepard rocket will fly its first astronaut crew to space. With bids approaching $3 million, Blue Origin is offering one … Read more

Space travel: Virgin Galactic’s new VSS Imagine will reflect whatever environment it is passing through

April 1, 2021 by Editorial Team

Virgin Galactic’s Mirror-Like Spaceship Brings Us One Step Closer to Space Travel.

Virgin Galactic’s new ‘VSS Imagine,’ scheduled to enter commercial service next year, will reflect whatever environment it is passing through. Breakthrough livery design allows Imagine to mirror the surrounding environment as it moves from Earth to Space.

Virgin Galactic unveiled the Company’s first Spaceship III in its growing fleet, VSS Imagine. VSS Imagine will commence ground testing, with glide flights planned for this summer from Spaceport America in New Mexico.

The breakthrough livery design, finished entirely with a mirror-like material, reflects the surrounding environment,
constantly changing color and appearance as it travels from earth to sky to space. Along with providing thermal
protection, this dynamic material is naturally appealing to the human eye, reflecting our inherent human fascination with space and the transformative experience of spaceflight.

Leveraging a modular design, the SpaceShip III class of vehicles are built to enable improved performance in terms of maintenance access and flight rate. This third generation of spaceship will lay the foundation for the design and
manufacture of future vehicles.

As VSS Imagine begins ground testing, manufacturing will progress on VSS Inspire, the second SpaceShip III vehicle
within the Virgin Galactic fleet. The introduction of the Spaceship III class of vehicles is an important milestone in Virgin Galactic’s multi-year effort that targets flying 400 flights per year, per spaceport.

“Virgin Galactic spaceships are built specifically to deliver a new, transforming perspective to the thousands of people who will soon be able to experience the wonder of space for themselves. As a SpaceShip III class of vehicle, Imagine is not just beautiful to look at, but represents Virgin Galactic’s growing fleet of spaceships. All great achievements, creations and changes start with an idea. Our hope is for all those who travel to space to return with fresh perspectives and new ideas that will bring positive change to our planet.’’ – Richard Branson, Founder, Virgin.

Future Astronauts are invited to be part of every step along the Virgin Galactic journey. One of Virgin Galactic’s Future Astronauts, Dee Chester, had a unique opportunity to play her part in the rollout of VSS Imagine, as her Astronaut Edition Range Rover towed the new spaceship out of the hangar for the first time.

VSS Imagine is unveiled ahead of VSS Unity’s next test flight, which is planned for May 2021.

“VSS Imagine and Inspire are stunning ships that will take our future astronauts on an incredible voyage to space, and their names reflect the aspirational nature of human spaceflight.” – Michael Colglazier, CEO of Virgin Galactic.

Virgin Galactic’s Mirror-Like Spaceship Brings Us One Step Closer to Space Travel; @Virgin Galactic VSS Imagine spaceship

Voyager Station hotel to offer luxury vacations that are literally, out of the world. The space restaurant will rival the best venues on Earth

March 16, 2021 by Editorial Team

@Voyager Station by @Orbital Assembly Corporation

This space hub built by Orbital Assembly Corporation is combining the experience of the last 50 years of space flight and the technology of today, with the dreams of tomorrow. The Voyager Station is now open for reservations.

The first space hotel to be operational in 2026. The Voyager Station is now open for reservations.

Voyager Station is a rotating space station designed to produce varying levels of artificial gravity by increasing or decreasing the rate of rotation. Artificial, or simulated, gravity is essential to long term habitation in space.

The space station has been designed from the start to accommodate business, manufacturing, national space agencies conducting low gravity research, and space tourists who want to experience life on a large space station with the comfort of low gravity and the feel of a luxury hotel.

Early on Voyager Station was named after the father of the Apollo Program that took humanity to the moon. In early 2020 the space station was renamed to Voyager to embody the spirit of what this station will mean to all those who travel there.

Historically, a trip to space cost up to $25 million and that resulted in staying in a Zero-G facility, using vacuums for toilets, sleeping in a bag strapped to a wall, and living in a laboratory.

Voyager Station will leverage the technologies of Space and the comforts of Earth to create a unique experience unparalleled in history. Simulated gravity will offer amenities like toilet facilities, showers, and beds that function similar to what you are used to on Earth. If you are traveling alone or with a partner, the high-end space hotel suites are a great place to book for a three day trip or rent for a month. At 30 m2 (320 sf) , these suites offer private bathrooms, sleeping accommodations for up to 2 people.

Voyager Station’s Luxury Villas in Space

Voyager Station’s luxury accomodations can be booked for a week, rented for a month, or purchased as a vacation home. The luxury villas are 500 m2 (5,300 sf). They feature cooking facilities, three bathrooms, and sleeping accommodations for up to 16 people.

The station includes a Gym and Activity Module – a place to go anytime of day or night.

The large recreation hall has a ceiling over 7 m (23 ft) high where you will enjoy jumping, running, and playing sports in the 1/6th Earth gravity environment. The lower level gym is equipped with weights and treadmills so that you can work out while watching the Earth and stars rotate below you.

At night the GA will transform into a concert venue where the biggest musicians on Earth will rock the station as it circles the plane.

The space restaurant will offer some Space classics like Tang and freeze dried ice cream, but Voyager’s restaurant will rival the best venues on Earth. Bi-weekly food deliveries ensure that every bite is fresh and delicious.

The Sky Bar offer the best views in the orbital station.

An other worldly water feature will seemingly defy the laws of physics as a curving flow of water falls from the ceiling to the restaurant below. Don’t feel like taking the stairs? Because of the lower gravity, jump off the balcony and gently land on the level below.

@Voyager Station Interior by @Orbital Assembly Corporation

@Voyager Station Interior Design by @Orbital Assembly Corporation

Out-of-world weightless experience: Virgin Galactic Reveals SpaceshipTwo Cabin Interior

July 31, 2020 by Editorial Team

See space and Earth in a weightless state.

Virgin Galactic, the vertically integrated aerospace and space travel company, revealed the cabin interior of its first SpaceShipTwo vehicle, VSS Unity in a virtual event streamed live on YouTube.

Aspiring astronauts and space enthusiasts around the world, now have the opportunity to explore the Virgin Galactic cabin design and spaceflight experience through an augmented reality enabled mobile app. The unveiling of the spaceship cabin design marks the latest milestone towards Virgin Galactic’s operational readiness and will accentuate the Company’s focus on using inspired and bold design to transform the entire customer journey.

The cabin designed by London design agency Seymourpowell is equipped with 12 individually sized seats, created using the highest-grade aluminium and carbon-fiber manufacturing techniques. The individually sized, reclining seats are conceived for G-force management and float zone volume.

The importance of astronaut comfort to optimize performance is accentuated by the use of engineered foam and technical fabrics. Virgin Galactic’s partner Under Armour developed the astronaut spacesuits and also the fabric technology featured in the cabin seats. Harnessing insights from more than two decades of maximizing human performance, Under Armour created a 3D knit featuring constructions that map breathability and function into the fabric encasing each cabin seat to provide comfort and mobility during spaceflight.

Each seat has been engineered to match the dynamism of the flight. A pilot-controlled recline mechanism, optimally positions astronauts to manage G- forces on boost and re-entry and frees up cabin space to maximize an unrestricted astronaut float zone when in zero gravity.

Virgin pioneered mood lighting on its commercial aircraft, and that idea has been translated by Virgin Galactic, into the new era of commercial spaceflight. Multi-color LEDs are concealed within the “Halo” window surrounds and are used to subtly reflect back and therefore elevate, the human responses to each of the contrasting stages of flight. At the pinnacle of the experience, as the Earth comes into view against the black sky of space, all lighting is extinguished, bringing an instant focus to the profoundly beautiful vista.

Virgin Galactic Seat Profile; @virgingalactic.com

To further elevate the experience of floating in zero-gravity, the cabin includes a first for space travel, a large, circular mirror on the aft bulkhead which, by adding a tint to the reflective surface, allows astronauts to view themselves weightless.

“Aspiring astronauts can bring their dream of spaceflight one step closer by joining the Virgin Galactic Spacefarer community today. For a $1,000 refundable deposit, they will be front of line for newly released spaceflight reservations,” said Virgin Galactic in the statement.

Virgin Galactic’s SpaceShipTwo Completed Second Flight from Spaceport America.