As Virgin Galactic finalizes plans for founder Richard Branson to join five others on a test flight to the edge of space on July 11, the British billionaire said his wife may be nervous about the launch but he himself wasn't the least bit afraid.
July 6 - As Virgin Galactic finalizes plans for founder Richard Branson to join five others on a test flight to the edge of space on July 11, the British billionaire said his wife may be nervous about the launch but he himself wasn't the least bit afraid.
Unity will be launched at an altitude of about 50,000 feet from a Virgin Galactic carrier plane, then soar on its own rocket power to the boundary of space, where the crew will experience about 4 minutes of weightlessness before beginning a descent back to Earth. "My wife is the sort of person who would be terrified on a Virgin Atlantic airplane," he said. "She's the last person who would want to do something like this. But she's known me since I tried to balloon across the Atlantic or the Pacific or around the world, and she still seems to love us." He laughed as he quoted his wife telling him: "'If you're foolish enough to do these wonderful things, you can do it, but I won't be going to your funeral.
Virgin Galactic and Blue Origin, along with Elon Musk's SpaceX, are competing head-to-head in the emerging space tourism business. "I just wish him and people going up with him all the very best. I look forward to talking to him about his ride when he comes back," Branson said of Bezos. "I spoke to him two or three weeks ago, and we both wished each other well."
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Billionaire Branson set to fly to space aboard Virgin Galactic rocket planeDecades after burnishing his reputation as a wealthy daredevil mogul in a series of boating and hot-air balloon expeditions, Richard Branson is poised to promote his burgeoning astro-tourism venture by launching himself to the final frontier.
Read more »
Where Was 'Virgin River' Filmed?But you can visit Jack's Bar IRL.
Read more »
Wait, Where's Hope in the New Season of 'Virgin River'?The beloved mayor has disappeared from the small town.
Read more »
Martin Henderson Isn't Just Jack From 'Virgin River'Martin Henderson plays Jack Sheridan on Netflix's 'Virgin River.' Here's everything you need to know about him, from his relationship to past movies.
Read more »
'Virgin River' Season 4: Everything We KnowSo! Many! Cliffhangers!
Read more »
Virgin Galactic’s SpaceShip Two Carries NASA-Supported Payload🚀 This Sunday, July 11, VirginGalactic will attempt its first fully crewed spaceflight, Unity22! NASA_Technology will also be catching a ride to suborbital space. Get to know the science on board:
Read more »