Billionaires In Space

July 20, 2021 – The wonders of space tourism have been on many a bucket list for some time, and now that dream is getting much closer, at least for those with the means to purchase a ticket.

Richard Branson aboard The SpaceShipTwo . Image Credit: Virgin Galactic

Last week, Virgin Galactic founder Richard Branson won the billionaires’ space race when he became the first person to reach space on a vehicle his company developed. The SpaceShipTwo starts its ride attached to the twin-fuselaged mothership, which climbs to 50,000 feet. Then Branson and his fellow passengers detached, and their vehicle ignited a rocket to push them more than 50 miles in the air. After a few minutes of weightlessness and panoramic views of Earth, the team safely returned.

Jeff Bezos, founder of Blue Origin, inspects the booster on the landing pad. Image Credit: Blue Origin

This morning Jeff Bezos, the richest human in the world, along with some very lucky passengers launched aboard a Blue Origin vehicle that started on the ground and reached more than 60 miles in altitude during the 11 minute flight. After achieving weightlessness and with a view that showed them the boundary of space, they unbuckled from their seats and floated in zero-G. Then the vehicle returned gently to Earth amid the cheers of the Blue Origin ground crew.

The cost of entry for astronaut-tourists for these types of flights is in the millions of dollars, but considering this activity was only available to governments in the past, that may be a small consideration. Another option is the spaceballoon from Space Perspective that can float passengers to the upper atmosphere for “only” $125,000.

One thing these flights prove. Branson and Bezos obviously believe in the safety of space tourism, proving that fact by flying in their own machines. The long-held dream has become a reality.

Sources: Virgin Galactic, Blue Origin