Sir Richard Branson, founder of the Virgin Group of companies, visualized a far-fetched dream of space tourism years back, which now with dynamic support of designer Burt Rutan and financier Paul Allen is on the verge of become a reality. A space-marvel, SpaceShipTwo, will not only open new dimensions for tourism industry but also set new standards for space research and aeronautical engineering. ‘SpaceShipTwo’ won’t take off like other spacecrafts from the ground, however, it’ll initially be lifted by the ‘White Knight Two’ (a carrier plane) to an altitude of 50,000 feet to continue the space voyage on its own. SpaceShipTwo, an enhanced version of the X-Prize-winning ‘SpaceShipOne’ concept, will only carry eight people, including two pilots and six passengers, in a single voyage into sub-orbit.
While the White Knight Two is all set to kick off, whereas, SpaceShipTwo is about 60% complete and will be ready for test flights, which are scheduled to commence in the later half of this year. Space travel by any means is not an ordinary expedition, neither is $200,000 ticket price that the unique tourists will have to pay for the lavish trip.
Check out the new spaceship designs.
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