Space Oddity
- Posted by: GOOD
- on May 5, 2009 at 9:00 am
We called a licensed Virgin Galactic travel agent to answer our burning questions about the company’s pioneering space-tourism trips.
GOOD: Let’s say I wanted to go into space—there are some things I’d want to know. For starters, how high will I go?
VIRGIN: The plane elevates 60,000 feet into space. Then the rocket sort of launches into space for 60 to 70 miles, at which point you’re floating out of your seat for a little while.
G: How long will the flight last?
V: The entire thing is about two to three hours. And the part where you are out in space floating lasts about six minutes.
G: So it costs $200,000 right?
V: The fee is $200,000, and the deposit minimum is $20,000, but the more your deposit is, the sooner you go.
G: Can I pay by credit card, like a regular flight?
V: No. You need to buy it outright, and money can be wire-transferred to the U.K. offices.
G: What should I bring?
V: You don’t need to bring anything. You’ll have time to prepare in advance and you get a suit in the plane, but you don’t want to bring anything with you. I’ve done a weightless experience before, and it was the most amazing thing I have ever done. I tried it with a camera in my hand, and then again without, and trust me, you don’t want to be carrying anything with you. Virgin Galactic takes care of all of that.
G: Can I bring my dog?
V: Um, I doubt it.
G: Another possibly stupid question: Are there bathrooms?
V: No, there’s no time for that. Trust me, you won’t be looking for that when you’re 6,000 feet up.
G: How soon can I go?
V: The first-tier founder flight is sold out. There were 100 seats that basically were invitation only. Beyond that, it depends on how much you put down. I’m not 100 percent sure, but if you put down, say, $125,000 now you might be 250th on the list.
G: Will I get jet lag?
V: Based on what astronauts have shared, after the weightless experience, being up in space, seeing layers of air and the curvature of the earth, you definitely feel different. You won’t have jet lag, but you will definitely feel different.
G: Do I need a passport?
V: Funny you should bring this up. You would fly out of New Mexico, so you might not. But Virgin Galactic might make something kind of like this for space.
G: So there’s paperwork involved?
V: Yes.
DISCUSSION: 177 Comments
I will gladly take $5,000 to pay my rent for the year. I mean if u got 200k to spend on this crap….Email for my routing and account numbers.
I know what you mean, comment above. Maybe, these people that can afford the $200,000 ticket can send some money my way too. I’m also struggling with my rent. But progress has to go on. The only way it can be achieved is if people participate in it. Of course, the ones who participate in this experiment have to be rich at $200,000 a ticket. But at least, you’d have quite an experience to tell your friends about. Next thing you know, there’ll be vacation resorts built on the moon.
pee pee
I have been waiting for this day to come since I was young!! But, I’ve also been waiting for the day when I have $200,000 to my name – ha! … Maybe some day.
lol.lol/lol/ I was thinkin the same thing. Who has that amount of dough to blow off in a few hours? I guess its worth it.
I would love to go on that vacation but I think I might be scared to try it
would go minute if I have the money it would be somethat you not forget
thats pretty cool if u can afford it
For that amounr of dough I beter get to Fly the dam thing!!
We will be up stair i about 15 years and may be live there inn about 25years but I will see it
i wanna go that woul be fun for a vacation
awww.. too bad you can’t take your doggy!! you would probably just have to put down a billion dollars to take it!
if you got the money to spend..totally worth it!
the day i get that much money, i would rather pay off my house and take my family for a vacation
do you get mileage points like frequent flyer miles?
I dont know anybody who would pass on this opportunity if they had the resources (lots-o-money) Even myself, knowing NOTHING of space would love to do this…. who wouldn’t? It’s a shame that middleclass citizens like myself can only dream… when it is an option for others more privleged.
should have grown up to be an astronaut. what was i thinking.
The beautiful thing is that the rich get to pave the way for us common folks, so someday we may go too. Too bad more things in life don’t work this way…
i would love to do this!!! but it makes me so mad only the rich can go..
im glad to say i have at least $200,000 to my name,.. but 6 minutes in space isnt worth it.
if u had the money youd go but since your broke you cant, I’ll send you a postcard!!! ha to ur rent
wonder if the $200,000 covers in the inflight movie and free peanuts
I have tp play lotto
yeah go everybody ELSE!
Yeah, right. $200, 000. Is Donald Trump out there? Donald, can you send me to space? I’ve been a teacher for 20 years and I’ve dreamed of going to outer space since I was a little girl. Otherwise, maybe the price will come down in 20 years. I’ll only be 75 years old then. Still young enough to travel. LOL.