<p>World's first space tourism flight has made it back to Earth with its three civilian passengers.&nbsp;The 'space tourists' that went to the edge of space are quite naturally "starstruck". Video released by Virgin Galactic, the company behind Galactic-02, shows them peering outside the spacecraft's windows and glimpsing our planet from the vast emptiness of space.</p>

<h2><strong>Surreal experience&nbsp;</strong></h2>

<p>In a press conference that took place after the successful conclusion of humanity's first ever space "trip," one of the passengers, 80-year-old Jon Goodwin, said "The most impressive thing was looking at Earth from space. Just the pure clarity was very moving."&nbsp;</p>

<p>"Quite surreal and without a doubt the most exciting day of my life," added the adventurer, who competed in the 1972 Olympic Games as a canoeist for Britain.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/technology/virgin-galactics-first-space-tourism-flight-takes-off-with-three-civilian-passengers-624309">Virgin Galactic's first space tourism flight takes off with three civilian passengers</a></strong></p>

<p>Have a look at a video of the surreal journey here:</p>

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p dir="ltr" lang="en">That magical moment when your dreams comes true <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Galactic02?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Galactic02</a> <a href="https://t.co/k5NsNlXb6u">pic.twitter.com/k5NsNlXb6u</a></p>
— Virgin Galactic (@virgingalactic) <a href="https://twitter.com/virgingalactic/status/1689776235768070145?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 10, 2023</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

<h2>Many milestones established</h2>

<p>As per Virgin Galactic, the flight set many milestones, including: the most women in a single mission; first mother-daughter duo to go to space; first Olympian to go to space; the sixth and seventh black women to go to space; second person with Parkinson's to go to space; the youngest person to go to space; and third oldest person to go to space.</p>

<p>Recounting the hours before take-off, Anastatia's mother 46-year-old Keisha Schahaff, another passenger abroad the space flight, said: "I woke up feeling really ready, and I went outside and I just looked up at the skies, and it was remarkably clear. I could see the stars, I could see the moon. And it felt like the universe was connecting with me again and says, 'You're invited, come'. So I was ready."</p>

<h2><strong>'Starstruck'</strong></h2>

<p>Talking about her experience, 18-year-old Anastatia Mayers who was the youngest ever person to go space, said: "You are so much more connected to everything than you would expect to be. You felt like a part of the team, a part of the ship, a part of the universe, a part of Earth. It was incredible, and I'm still starstruck."</p>

<p><strong>Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/virgin-galactic-prepares-for-first-commercial-spaceflight-announces-crew-members-609205">Virgin Galactic prepares for first commercial spaceflight, announces crew members</a></strong></p>

<p>The group spent&nbsp;a few minutes floating weightless in space at around 53 miles (85 kilometres) above sea level and admired the curvature of the Earth from space, before the spacecraft glided&nbsp;back to Earth.</p>

<p>On Thursday (August 10th), the Virgin Galactic flight, which is a culmination of a nearly two-decade programme for commercial space tourism, lifted off from Spaceport America in New Mexico, and after spending a few minutes in space safely landed on the same runway, it took off from.</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em><br />
<br />
&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>WATCH WION LIVE HERE</strong></p>

<p><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="350" loading="”lazy”" src="https://www.wionews.com/live-tv/embed?autoplay=1&amp;mute=1" width="100%"></iframe></p>

<p>You can <strong>now write for wionews.com</strong> and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us <strong><a href="https://www.wionews.com/content-contribution-registration-form">here</a>.</strong></p>


World's first space tourism flight has made it back to Earth with its three civilian passengers. The 'space tourists' that went to the edge of space are quite naturally "starstruck".

World's first space tourism flight has made it back to Earth with its three civilian passengers. The 'space tourists' that went to the edge of space are quite naturally "starstruck". Video released by Virgin Galactic, the company behind Galactic-02, shows them peering outside the spacecraft's windows and glimpsing our planet from the vast emptiness of space. Surreal experience In a press conference that took place after the successful conclusion of humanity's first ever space "trip," one of the passengers, 80-year-old Jon Goodwin, said "The most impressive thing was looking at Earth from space. Just the pure clarity was very moving." "Quite surreal and without a doubt the most exciting day of my life," added the adventurer, who competed in the 1972 Olympic Games as a canoeist for Britain. Also read | Virgin Galactic's first space tourism flight takes off with three civilian passengers Have a look at a video of the surreal journey here: That magical moment when your dreams comes true #Galactic02 pic.twitter.com/k5NsNlXb6u — Virgin Galactic (@virgingalactic) August 10, 2023 × Many milestones established As per Virgin Galactic, the flight set many milestones, including: the most women in a single mission; first mother-daughter duo to go to space; first Olympian to go to space; the sixth and seventh black women to go to space; second person with Parkinson's to go to space; the youngest person to go to space; and third oldest person to go to space. Recounting the hours before take-off, Anastatia's mother 46-year-old Keisha Schahaff, another passenger abroad the space flight, said: "I woke up feeling really ready, and I went outside and I just looked up at the skies, and it was remarkably clear. I could see the stars, I could see the moon. And it felt like the universe was connecting with me again and says, 'You're invited, come'. So I was ready." 'Starstruck' Talking about her experience, 18-year-old Anastatia Mayers who was the youngest ever person to go space, said: "You are so much more connected to everything than you would expect to be. You felt like a part of the team, a part of the ship, a part of the universe, a part of Earth. It was incredible, and I'm still starstruck." Also read | Virgin Galactic prepares for first commercial spaceflight, announces crew members The group spent a few minutes floating weightless in space at around 53 miles (85 kilometres) above sea level and admired the curvature of the Earth from space, before the spacecraft glided back to Earth. On Thursday (August 10th), the Virgin Galactic flight, which is a culmination of a nearly two-decade programme for commercial space tourism, lifted off from Spaceport America in New Mexico, and after spending a few minutes in space safely landed on the same runway, it took off from. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Virgin Galactic's tourist 'astronauts' left 'starstruck' after trip to edge of space. Watch!

<p>The long-awaited, first-ever civilian space tourism flight has taken off into the weightlessness of space with three passengers.</p>

<p>On Thursday, the Virgin Galactic flight, which is a culmination of a nearly two-decade programme for commercial space tourism, lifted off from Spaceport America in New Mexico.</p>

<h2><strong>The three civilian passengers</strong></h2>

<p>Aboard the space tourism flight are 80-year-old Jon Goodwin, an adventurer who competed in the 1972 Olympic games as a canoeist for Britain; 46-year-old Keisha Schahaff, a health coach from Antigua and Barbuda; and her daughter, 18-year-old Anastatia Mayers, a student of philosophy and physics at the University of Aberdeen in Scotland.</p>

<p><strong>Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/virgin-galactic-prepares-for-first-commercial-spaceflight-announces-crew-members-609205">Virgin Galactic prepares for first commercial spaceflight, announces crew members</a></strong></p>

<p>The group, as per AFP, will spend a few minutes floating weightless in space at around 53 miles (85 kilometres) above sea level. There, they will get to admire the curvature of the Earth from space, before the spacecraft glides back to Earth.</p>

<h2><strong>Touchdown</strong></h2>

<p>As the spacecraft pushed above 80 kilometres (50 miles) in altitude,&nbsp;—&nbsp;the level that marks&nbsp;the edge of space where the pull of gravity is minimal, Virgin Galactic announcer Sirisha Bandla exclaimed that the civilian passengers "are officially astronauts. Welcome to space."</p>

<p>The craft started descending after spending a few minutes in space. As per AFP, it has safely landed in the US state of New Mexico, on the same runway they took off from.</p>

<p><strong>Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science-technology/musk-branson-space-race-heats-up-as-virgin-galactic-announces-first-commercial-passenger-space-mission-604988">Musk-Branson space race heats up as Virgin Galactic announces commercial space mission</a></strong></p>

<h2><strong>Virgin Galactic</strong></h2>

<p>This mission is Richard Branson's company's second commercial flight. It has been named Galactic 02.&nbsp;The previous flight carried a group of senior Italian Air Force officers at the end of June. They carried out several experiments on board, which means that the trip wasn't purely for pleasure.</p>

<p>Founded in 2004, Virgin Galactic between 2005 and 2014 sold around 800 tickets for seats on future commercial flights. 600 of these were sold for $200,000 to $250,000, and 200 more since then were sold for $450,000 each.</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>

<p><strong>WATCH WION LIVE HERE</strong></p>

<p><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="350" loading="”lazy”" src="https://www.wionews.com/live-tv/embed?autoplay=1&amp;mute=1" width="100%"></iframe></p>

<p>You can <strong>now write for wionews.com</strong> and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us <strong><a href="https://www.wionews.com/content-contribution-registration-form">here</a>.</strong></p>


The long-awaited, first-ever civilian space tourism flight has taken off into the weightlessness of space with three passengers. On Thursday, the Virgin Galactic flight, which is a culmination of a nearly two-decade programme for commercial space tourism, lifted off from Spaceport America in New Mexico.

The long-awaited, first-ever civilian space tourism flight has taken off into the weightlessness of space with three passengers. On Thursday, the Virgin Galactic flight, which is a culmination of a nearly two-decade programme for commercial space tourism, lifted off from Spaceport America in New Mexico. The three civilian passengers Aboard the space tourism flight are 80-year-old Jon Goodwin, an adventurer who competed in the 1972 Olympic games as a canoeist for Britain; 46-year-old Keisha Schahaff, a health coach from Antigua and Barbuda; and her daughter, 18-year-old Anastatia Mayers, a student of philosophy and physics at the University of Aberdeen in Scotland. Also read | Virgin Galactic prepares for first commercial spaceflight, announces crew members The group, as per AFP, will spend a few minutes floating weightless in space at around 53 miles (85 kilometres) above sea level. There, they will get to admire the curvature of the Earth from space, before the spacecraft glides back to Earth. Touchdown As the spacecraft pushed above 80 kilometres (50 miles) in altitude, — the level that marks the edge of space where the pull of gravity is minimal, Virgin Galactic announcer Sirisha Bandla exclaimed that the civilian passengers "are officially astronauts. Welcome to space." The craft started descending after spending a few minutes in space. As per AFP, it has safely landed in the US state of New Mexico, on the same runway they took off from. Also read | Musk-Branson space race heats up as Virgin Galactic announces commercial space mission Virgin Galactic This mission is Richard Branson's company's second commercial flight. It has been named Galactic 02. The previous flight carried a group of senior Italian Air Force officers at the end of June. They carried out several experiments on board, which means that the trip wasn't purely for pleasure. Founded in 2004, Virgin Galactic between 2005 and 2014 sold around 800 tickets for seats on future commercial flights. 600 of these were sold for $200,000 to $250,000, and 200 more since then were sold for $450,000 each. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Virgin Galactic's first space tourism flight takes off with three civilian passengers

<p>As the clock ticks and hour of Richard Branson's Virgin Galactic spaceflight launch draws nearer, the excitement is palpable around 70-year-old billionaire's travel to the edge of space. Branson has been one of the early pioneers who dreamt of commercial space travel when he founded his company Virgin Galactic in 2004.</p>

<p>Though at the time&nbsp;it was thought that commercial space travel would be normal with three to four years, it's&nbsp;better late than never as world looks on with bated breath 17 years after.</p>

<p>Although the exact time of the launch hasn't been made public, the reports suggest that the launch will take place at 1430 GMT. The launch is scheduled to take place from a spaceport in New Mexico.</p>

<p>Richard Branson will be aboard the space vehicle. Branson's official role is to evaluate the private astronaut experience to enhance the journey for future clients.&nbsp;</p>

<h2><strong>How will the launch take place</strong></h2>

<p>A massive carrier plane will take off from a horizontal runway, flown by two pilots, gaining altitude for about an hour.</p>

<p>Below this plane hangs the spaceship VSS Unity -- a SpaceShipTwo-class suborbital rocket-powered spaceplane -- with two more pilots and four passengers: Branson and three Virgin employees.</p>

<p>After climbing to 50,000 feet (15 kilometers), VSS Unity, which is about the size of a private jet, will be dropped and then ignite its rocket-powered engine to ascend at Mach 3 beyond the 50 miles (80 kilometers) of altitude considered the edge of space by US agencies.</p>

<p><strong>Also Read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/aim-for-stars-richard-bransons-journey-from-record-store-to-space-trip-397420">‘Aim for stars’: Richard Branson's journey from record store to space trip</a></strong></p>

<p>Once the rocket engine is cut off, passengers can unbuckle and experience a few minutes of weightlessness, while admiring the curvature of Earth from the ship's 17 windows.</p>

<p>After peaking at around 55 miles of altitude, the ship will re-enter the thick part of the atmosphere and glide back to the runway.</p>

<h2>How to watch the Virgin Galactic spaceflight launch LIVE</h2>

<p>The launch will livestreamed by the company. The live stream can be watched on the company's website (virginatlantic.com). The launch will also be live streamed on the company's Facebook, Twiter handles and Youtube channels.</p>

<p><em>(with inputs from agencies)</em></p>


As the clock ticks and hour of Richard Branson's Virgin Galactic spaceflight launch draws nearer, the excitement is palpable around 70-year-old billionaire's travel to the edge of space.

As the clock ticks and hour of Richard Branson's Virgin Galactic spaceflight launch draws nearer, the excitement is palpable around 70-year-old billionaire's travel to the edge of space. Branson has been one of the early pioneers who dreamt of commercial space travel when he founded his company Virgin Galactic in 2004. Though at the time it was thought that commercial space travel would be normal with three to four years, it's better late than never as world looks on with bated breath 17 years after. Although the exact time of the launch hasn't been made public, the reports suggest that the launch will take place at 1430 GMT. The launch is scheduled to take place from a spaceport in New Mexico. Richard Branson will be aboard the space vehicle. Branson's official role is to evaluate the private astronaut experience to enhance the journey for future clients. How will the launch take place A massive carrier plane will take off from a horizontal runway, flown by two pilots, gaining altitude for about an hour. Below this plane hangs the spaceship VSS Unity -- a SpaceShipTwo-class suborbital rocket-powered spaceplane -- with two more pilots and four passengers: Branson and three Virgin employees. After climbing to 50,000 feet (15 kilometers), VSS Unity, which is about the size of a private jet, will be dropped and then ignite its rocket-powered engine to ascend at Mach 3 beyond the 50 miles (80 kilometers) of altitude considered the edge of space by US agencies. Also Read | ‘Aim for stars’: Richard Branson's journey from record store to space trip Once the rocket engine is cut off, passengers can unbuckle and experience a few minutes of weightlessness, while admiring the curvature of Earth from the ship's 17 windows. After peaking at around 55 miles of altitude, the ship will re-enter the thick part of the atmosphere and glide back to the runway. How to watch the Virgin Galactic spaceflight launch LIVE The launch will livestreamed by the company. The live stream can be watched on the company's website (virginatlantic.com). The launch will also be live streamed on the company's Facebook, Twiter handles and Youtube channels. (with inputs from agencies)

Richard Branson Virgin Galactic spaceflight: Where to watch the launch LIVE

<p>Going to space, and not taking a selfie, how can that happen? Virgin Galactic thought about it and made some additions to the new spaceship's cabin.</p>

<p>Now, each space traveller can float like a star with two paparazzi-like cameras capturing all the zero gravity action like a movie, shot in high-definition stills and video ready to be shared on social media once back on Earth.</p>

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/gravitas-inside-virgin-galactics-spaceshiptwo-316833/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>
</div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

<p>It not going to be like "Gravity" or "Interstellar" but it will go viral.</p>

<p>The six-seat cabin has become the chief selling point. It plays a role in various stages of the spaceflight especially when the space travellers get the first glimpse of Earth. Virgin Galactic is yet to begin its commercial services as&nbsp;testing continues at the company's operating base in the US.</p>

<p>Virgin Galactic's journey dates back to 2004. In 2014, the dream almost crashed like a meteor after a test pilot was killed during a flight in California. The tragedy led to a redesign.</p>

<p>Now, Virgin Galactic plans to fly five spaceships in the coming years and, there are many takers, so far as&nbsp;1,000 people have expressed interest.</p>

<p>It will cost them more than $250,000 per seat. They will experience 10 to 15 minutes of weightlessness. Once the 30-minute flight ends, the spaceship will glide back to Earth. The space tourists will return to reality welcomed by a glass or two of champagne.</p>


Going to space, and not taking a selfie, how can that happen? Virgin Galactic thought about it and made some additions to the new spaceship's cabin. Now, each space traveller can float like a star with two paparazzi-like cameras capturing all the zero gravity action like a movie, shot in high-definition stills and video ready to be shared on social media once back on Earth.

Going to space, and not taking a selfie, how can that happen? Virgin Galactic thought about it and made some additions to the new spaceship's cabin. Now, each space traveller can float like a star with two paparazzi-like cameras capturing all the zero gravity action like a movie, shot in high-definition stills and video ready to be shared on social media once back on Earth. × It not going to be like "Gravity" or "Interstellar" but it will go viral. The six-seat cabin has become the chief selling point. It plays a role in various stages of the spaceflight especially when the space travellers get the first glimpse of Earth. Virgin Galactic is yet to begin its commercial services as testing continues at the company's operating base in the US. Virgin Galactic's journey dates back to 2004. In 2014, the dream almost crashed like a meteor after a test pilot was killed during a flight in California. The tragedy led to a redesign. Now, Virgin Galactic plans to fly five spaceships in the coming years and, there are many takers, so far as 1,000 people have expressed interest. It will cost them more than $250,000 per seat. They will experience 10 to 15 minutes of weightlessness. Once the 30-minute flight ends, the spaceship will glide back to Earth. The space tourists will return to reality welcomed by a glass or two of champagne.

Now, Virgin Galactic's new spaceship cabin allows you to take a selfie

Spaceflight for the common man is still a long time away. But, Virgin Galactic has given a sneak peek into how the trip to earth's orbit could feel like. WION's Palki Sharma tells you more.

Gravitas: Inside Virgin Galactic's SpaceShipTwo

Virgin Galactic's SpaceShipTwo reaches space for first time

<p><a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/strasbourg-christmas-market-attacker-killed-after-gun-battle-183878">Strasbourg Christmas market attacker killed after </a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/strasbourg-christmas-market-attacker-killed-after-gun-battle-183878">gun</a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/strasbourg-christmas-market-attacker-killed-after-gun-battle-183878"> battle</a></p>

<p>French security forces on Thursday night killed the suspect, Cherif Chekatt, 29, who was allegedly responsible for the attack on the Christmas market in Strasbourg in which three people had died.</p>

<p><a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/today-has-been-out-of-this-world-its-a-thumbs-up-for-astronauts-branson-on-virgin-galactics-voyage-183902">Today has been out of this world, it's a thumbs up for astronauts: Branson on Virgin Galactic's voyage into space</a></p>

<p>Virgin Galactic's SpaceShipTwo, VSS Unity, flew higher than it ever has before on Thursday, surpassing what the US Air Force considers the boundary of space, and marking the first manned flight to space from US soil since 2011.</p>

<p><a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/eu-leaders-reject-mays-plea-over-brexit-deal-183880">EU leaders reject PM Theresa May's plea over Brexit deal</a></p>

<p>EU leaders rejected a plea by Theresa May on Thursday to help her sell her Brexit deal to parliament, warning she must set out exactly what she wants -- and announcing they would step up contingency plans in case the deal collapses.</p>

<p><a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/china-going-to-open-up-whole-country-they-want-to-please-me-trump-183898">China going to open up </a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/china-going-to-open-up-whole-country-they-want-to-please-me-trump-183898">whole</a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/china-going-to-open-up-whole-country-they-want-to-please-me-trump-183898"> country, they want to please me: Trump</a></p>

<p>In a major policy shift, China is "going to open" up the entire country, US President Donald Trump said Thursday amidst trade negotiations with the Chinese.</p>

<p>"I just see this in the front page of The Wall Street Journal which just came out. China is going to open its policy, a big policy shift. They are going to open the whole country, that they want to please President Trump, that they want to do things that they have to do and that people should have been after China for years, I mean frankly," Trump told Fox News in an interview.</p>

<p><a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/no-trump-putin-meeting-while-russia-holds-ukraine-ship-john-bolton-183876">No Trump-Putin meeting while Russia holds Ukraine ship: US NSA John Bolton</a></p>

<p>There will be no meeting between US President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin while Russia still holds Ukrainian ships and sailors seized near Crimea, US national security adviser John Bolton said on Thursday.</p>


Strasbourg Christmas market attacker killed after gun battle French security forces on Thursday night killed the suspect, Cherif Chekatt, 29, who was allegedly responsible for the attack on the Christmas market in Strasbourg in which three people had died.

Strasbourg Christmas market attacker killed after gun battle French security forces on Thursday night killed the suspect, Cherif Chekatt, 29, who was allegedly responsible for the attack on the Christmas market in Strasbourg in which three people had died. Today has been out of this world, it's a thumbs up for astronauts: Branson on Virgin Galactic's voyage into space Virgin Galactic's SpaceShipTwo, VSS Unity, flew higher than it ever has before on Thursday, surpassing what the US Air Force considers the boundary of space, and marking the first manned flight to space from US soil since 2011. EU leaders reject PM Theresa May's plea over Brexit deal EU leaders rejected a plea by Theresa May on Thursday to help her sell her Brexit deal to parliament, warning she must set out exactly what she wants -- and announcing they would step up contingency plans in case the deal collapses. China going to open up whole country, they want to please me: Trump In a major policy shift, China is "going to open" up the entire country, US President Donald Trump said Thursday amidst trade negotiations with the Chinese. "I just see this in the front page of The Wall Street Journal which just came out. China is going to open its policy, a big policy shift. They are going to open the whole country, that they want to please President Trump, that they want to do things that they have to do and that people should have been after China for years, I mean frankly," Trump told Fox News in an interview. No Trump-Putin meeting while Russia holds Ukraine ship: US NSA John Bolton There will be no meeting between US President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin while Russia still holds Ukrainian ships and sailors seized near Crimea, US national security adviser John Bolton said on Thursday.

News brief: Big stories of the day

virgin-galactics-spaceshiptwo

Virgin Galactic's Spaceshiptwo, News on Virgin Galactic's Spaceshiptwo, stories on Virgin Galactic's Spaceshiptwo, articles on Virgin Galactic's Spaceshiptwo, Virgin Galactic's Spaceshiptwo stories at Wion, Virgin Galactic's Spaceshiptwo news, Virgin Galactic's Spaceshiptwo latest news

virgin galactics-spaceshiptwo