Following Tourism Marketing’s Space Age

10.14.10 at 10:48 am by Alan Beberwyck

The Ongoing Story of Virgin Galactic and Commercial Spaceflight

About ten months ago, I wrote a post about the world’s first commercial spaceline, Virgin Galactic, and its initial marketing efforts for $200,000 flights into sub-orbit. It seemed like a good time to check in on the progress of the fledgling space program.

VSS Enterprise In Flight

Virgin Galactic Achieves Two Important Milestones

On July 15, 2010, the VSS Enterprise, aka SpaceShip Two, made its first crewed flight (not to be confused with ‘first crude flight”, which was more of a Wright Brothers’ milestone). A press release on the Virgin Galactic website reads:

For the first time VSS Enterprise flew with crew on board. As planned, the spaceship remained attached to VMS Eve (captive) for the duration of the flight and numerous combined vehicle systems tests were conducted. In addition and for the first time, the two crew members on board VSS Enterprise, evaluated all of the spaceship’s systems and functions from end to end in the air. Objectives achieved.

Then, on October 10, 2010, Virgin Galactic announced the successful completion of the first piloted free flight of SpaceShip Two, VSS Enterprise. The spaceship was released from its mothership at an altitude of 45,000 ft and glided for 11 minutes to a successful landing in the Mojave Air and Space Port.

Just How Many Future Astronauts Are There?

So, how are ticket sales going since the initial public offering? Last December, Virgin Galactic reported around 300 individuals had made down payments of at least $20,000 to reserve spots on the spaceships. Let’s call those 300 the early adopters, though Virgin calls them Future Astronauts or “pioneers.” In early October 2010, Virgin’s site references “around 340 astronauts who will venture into space.” That’s only 40 more reservations in 10 months – a modest gain, but probably to be expected given the high price tag and indefinite flight schedule.

Virgin Astronauts in Zero G

What Stylish Astronauts Will Be Wearing in 2015

It seems the Virgin Galactic team has already updated the space suits for the yet unnamed first launch. In the artist’s rendering above, we see the same white and grey suits depicted last year, but now revealing very stylish red booties and red-palmed gloves. Last year, the astronauts were shown strapped in their seats, but this year, it’s okay to move about the cabin in liberating zero gravity. In an oddly candid detail, it appears someone dropped their digital camera – but what a great way to show off the beautiful pictures you could take.

What People Are Saying

The comments field under the first press release is full of enthusiasm, hope for humanity and praise for the program, along with some very odd messages. On 8/31/10 BQ wrote:

yeah I don't know about you guys but I just booked my ticket....scheduled for 2017. Cant wait. Hopefully it'll be as good as my experiences on Mt. Everest or my mt. Kilimanjaro expedition. Both near death experiences but I came out on top. Then there was my African undercover work in Sierra Leone where I was almost cut down by automatic fire by the legendary RUF. But yeah this looks to be a lot of fun. Send me some feedback on supplies you think I should bring and any other preparations. Kisses!

My recommendation is to pack light. Another comment from SS on 8/25 reads:

Brilliant! It seems that many are excited about space flight but concerned with cost. How about having a lottery winner for each flight.? This will build awareness and excitement.

In a very technical note from 10/8, LC conjectures:

It looks great. I think Sir Branson's ship might even reach orbit with the help of booster rockets. Orbital Sciences have the Pegasus XL rocket that can reach orbit from an aircraft launch. Maybe by using 4x Pegasus rockets attached to spaceship two it could reach orbit! I don't know if the folding wings and the fibre fuselage could handle a mach 25 reentry though.

I say strap on eight or ten XLs and that puppy might make it to Jupiter! Oh, but then there’s the whole problem of the fibre fuselage withstanding collisions in the Asteroid Belt. Hmmm.

And on 10/12/10, CB pleaded:

Please, PLEASE, despite all commercial implications and potentials, please keep Space a place for everyone. Don't monopolise it, don't do crap like patenting LEO or something. Cooperate, don't compete. Be excellent to each other. And party on, dudes! C. P.S.: "Sir, we can't call it the 'Enterprise'." :D

I'm looking forward to more on this story. If you have any ideas about marketing this unique travel experience, leave a comment below.