Virgin Galactic, owned by billionaire Richard Branson, announced it will launch its commercial space flight this week, and tickets for these space tours will be sold for $450 000.
The timing of the announcement has been widely criticised, with the announcement coming less than a week after the Titan submersible tragedy.
The company revealed its Galactic 01 mission, set to carry three passengers from the Italian Air Force and National Research Council into space on 29 June. Accompanied by five Virgin Galactic crew members, including an astronaut instructor and four pilots, the 90-minute suborbital flight aims to conduct various scientific experiments.
Virgin Galactic is also selling tickets for future space flights, advertising it as an “opportunity” for prospective clients to reserve their place “in history” through its brochure. Social media users have seized the moment to express their disapproval, highlighting the unfortunate timing of the launch. The recent incident involving the Titan submersible, which imploded during an expedition to explore the Titanic shipwreck, has sparked concerns regarding the safety of such ventures.
Virgin Galactic’s history has not been without tragic events. In 2014, an explosion during a test flight on the company’s prototype craft resulted in the loss of a crew member’s life.
In another incident, SpaceX’s rocket explosion during a launch attempt underscored the risks associated with space exploration.
Critics argue that despite the potential dangers, the allure of expensive and perilous adventures seems to entice the ultra-wealthy.
Within the context of the Titan Subermsive catastrophe, discussions surrounding the safety and ethical implications of commercial space flights persist along with the ongoing debate about the privatisation and commercialisation of space exploration.
Picture: Virgin Galactic
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