Richard Branson conquer space at the second attempt – Kommersant

Today, the British entrepreneur and founder of Virgin Group Richard Branson introduced in California the second suborbital spacecraft SpaceShipTwo reusable in the development of space tourism program. After the disaster in 2014, the last ship of this model Sir Richard did not give up on his goal – the organization of space travel, and the company has sold more than 700 tickets for its flights

On Thursday, Virgin Galactic, the company published a statement on the eve of Richard Branson today’s presentation of the new suborbital space shuttle SpaceShipTwo. The businessman, who along with partners in Virgin Galactic – the investment company of the Government of Abu Dhabi Aarab Investments – has invested in the development of space tourism project is more than $ 500 million, told about how the development of a new ship, its construction and the first test flights. SpaceShipTwo ship under the control of the two pilots will be able to pick up in the space of six passengers. At a height of 20 km launcher ship will be delivered to the aircraft White Knight Two. And do suborbital flights will take place at an altitude of about 100 km.

 

Suborbital space shuttle SpaceShipTwo
 

 

Photo: Lucy Nicholson, Reuters

 

Sir Richard warned that first journey into space will not be “too long” to the maximum height of the ship will be in about six minutes. But, he said, provided travelers “breathtaking views” from space and real weightlessness. “Over time, we will begin to implement and orbital flights, which can last two to three weeks. And one day, we would like to build a space hotel Virgin », – said Sir Richard

Send travel into space on SpaceShipTwo Sir Richard promises as soon as experienced pilots carefully. test the ship. “When we are sure that we can already safely delivering our passengers into space, we will do it”, – he said. For care have every reason: October 31, 2014 during a test flight of a prototype spaceship SpaceShipTwo crashed in the Mojave Desert, one pilot was killed, the second pilot was injured. The cause of the disaster, as shown by the investigation, have become the actions of one of the pilots, which is too soon opened the locks, locking feathering system that raises and deploys the ship’s tail.

The new SpaceShipTwo is provided an apparatus, not allowing too early to unlock the system. Although the tragic accident is still not rescued from Virgin Galactic desire to go into space and do not impact on the interest in space tourism level, especially among those who can afford it. On the journey into space on SpaceShipTwo has already sold more than 700 tickets, while the cost of a ticket is $ 250 thousand Speaking of which, Richard Branson stressed. “We consider it an honor that the number of our future passengers already exceeded the total number of people flown in space. ” Among those wishing to see the Earth from space actors Angelina Jolie, Brad Pitt, Leonardo DiCaprio, Ashton Kutcher, singer Katy Perry and Lady Gaga, physicist Stephen Hawking.

Alain Miklashevsky