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, the space tourism company of billionaire Richard Branson, will return to a manned flight to the (edge of) space at the end of this month. The last time the company's space plane flew was in July 2021.

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Tourist trips to space are quietly starting to become more popular. But the price tag for such a flight can quickly reach dollars. Companies like Virgin Galactic are hoping to change that, by developing cheaper launch options.

In the news: A six-person crew will travel to the edge of space in late May.

  • It is not yet a commercial flight. If this latest test flight succeeds, Virgin Galactic will transport customers back to the edge of space starting in late June.
  • The company already conducted a handful of (non-commercial) flights in 2021, but then had to cease operations. That was due in part to complications during the second flight, with Branson himself aboard, and supply chain problems.
  • That Virgin Galactic will now fly again is good news for more than 800 customers who have been on the waiting list for years. After all, they each put down for a seat. On top of that, they must pay another $300,000 the year before their flight, for a total price of $450,000.

Crucial test flight

And now: The flight to be conducted in late May is crucial for the company.

  • The company has been losing money for years while the first commercial flight kept getting delayed. Some people on the waiting list bought their ticket more than a decade ago.
  • Another of Branson's space ventures, Virgin Orbit, also failed to become profitable. After a failed flight early this year, Virgin Orbit filed for in April. As a result, the pressure to make Virgin Galactic a success is mounting.

The edge of space

In summary: Branson's company has taken a distinctive approach to transporting tourists.

  • Virgin Galactic uses a rocket-powered aircraft, the VSS Unity, to reach the edge of space. First, the craft is taken to an altitude of about 15 kilometers by "mothership" Eve, a modified double-body aircraft.
  • Once that altitude is reached, the aircraft is disconnected, after which the rocket engine engages. That propels the space plane to an altitude of about 80 kilometers.
  • The U.S. government recognizes that altitude as the edge of space, but internationally the limit of 100 kilometers is usually used. Nevertheless, passengers will hardly notice any difference: they will see the curvature of the earth against the dark background of space and will even experience weightlessness for several minutes.
  • Finally, VSS Unity returns to Earth, where it lands as an airplane. A full mission lasts just under two hours. (resume)

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