Charles SimonYi, a paid space observer and researcher, was once asked in an interview, “ Do you see the day when space tourism is not just the province for billionaires; when it will be as affordable as plane travel?” He answered, “Yes, the question is when…”
The time to explore space tourism has come. Space exploration will no longer be for the rich and famous, since Sir Richard Branson and his dedicated team have introduced Virgin Galactic, SpaceShipTwo, the space vehicle developed by Scaled Composites to take private passengers to space. SpaceShipTwo will begin sub-orbital flights in a matter of months. Sir Richard Branson is making space exploration affordable for everyone with space aspirations. The initial flight will cost $200,000 which will eventually go down to $20,000.
Virgin Galactic spacecraft will give six astronauts (for each flight) a glimpse into space where the spaceship will travel to 360,000 ft high. The overall experience will last up to 2 ½ hours allowing passengers to experience 3-6 minutes of weightlessness with the aircraft peaking an altitude of 100-160km.
In order to sell these trips, the Virgin Group has selected a group of experienced travel agents throughout the world. Among these accredited space agents is South Florida’s own Beverly Rother. Rother is a member of Virtuoso, the leading luxury leisure travel network comprised of more than 330 agencies with 6,000 elite travel advisers in 22 countries. Virtuoso is the exclusive retail travel agency network for Virgin Galactic throughout The Americas.
Premier Guide Miami’s Daedrian McNaughton recently spoke with Beverly Rother about being selected as a space agent, and the experience of a lifetime to
book suborbital flights.
PGM: Congrats on being selected for this unique opportunity.
BR: Thank you. I am excited. I am actually one of the 76 agents in the US who was selected for this special program.
PGM: How did you hear of the program?
BR: We are part of Virtuoso, a luxury by invitation only consortium. Virtuoso is affiliated with our agency and we had to go through an intensive application process. Followed by a phone interview with the UK, where Virgin Galactic is right now. I had to go through 2 days of training and seminars with other accredited space agents. To be able to do this is quite exciting. It is amazing.
PGM: How did you get involved in the program?
BR: I have always been intrigued with aviation. This is going to be our new travel destination. If you can picture the Jetson’s; that’s how I pictured that would be down the road where everyone hops into a little spacecrafts. This is definitely going to change aviation and I think it is so exciting to be involved in this from the ground up. I was invited to LA where I did 2 days of training and seminars, then we were invited out to see the unveiling. Just to actually stand there and see what these visionaries have come up with was an amazing experience.
PGM: How was the unveiling?
BR: It was exciting; it was Hollywood style celebration-a long runway with the evolution of spacecraft. Each symbol was on a flag-they blasted music and had the spacecraft come out in blackness/darkness. There were 800 people in attendance. It was the most exciting thing I have ever done. The enthusiasm-the excitement-the actual reality of this was real-it blew everybody away completely.
PGM: What is included in the Space package?
BR: Once you’re confirmed with at least a 10-percent deposit (or higher levels depending when you want to go) you’ll receive a welcome pack and special insider updates, including special invitations to events with your fellow astronauts (such as the unveiling where 170 future astronauts were in attendance). Included is a 3-day training program at Spaceport America. There you’ll be issued a Phillippe Starck-designed space suite, undergo G-Force and possibly weightlessness training, full preflight training and learn all about your mission! You can even charger the spacecraft with your family, friends or special coworkers for a discounted rate. Each flight holds 6 astronauts who all have a window view, along with the 2 pilots on board the spaceship. The spaceship is berthed to the Eve Mother ship, which is a specially designed twin-fuselage jet airplane –and the world’s first commercial aircraft made out of 100 percent carbon composite material. After takeoff you’ll fly to 50,000 feet and hear the countdown. The spaceship releases and with it’s hybrid rocker motor accelerates you into a vertical climb which reaches Mach 1 (the speed of sound). Within 30 seconds you’ll be at Mach 3.4. After 90 seconds, the pilots cut the motors and the spaceship will continue to climb to 68 miles above earth, an altitude of 360,000 feet. Six miles above the space border, you’ll experience total silence – and Zero G for the next 4-5 minutes. Release your seat belts and enjoy this unique experience. You must then return to your seats and experience a thrilling 90 second reentry, peaking at nearly 6 G’s. The Spaceship’s wings have been ‘feathered up’ and will rotate back to their usual position to glide you safely back to Earth to collect your astronaut wings.
PGM: Who are some of the people on the wait list?
BR: Some of Virgin’s first astronauts with confirmed seats include Sir Richard Branson and family, George and Loretta Whitesides, Victoria Principal, a 57 years old skincare entrepreneur, and Brian Singer, Hollywood film director.
PGM: When is the first flight?
BR: In 12-24 months. It could be sooner if the testing goes well. We are not in a race right now. We are making sure this 100% safe for our passengers. The first spacecraft is going up with Sir Richard Branson and his family-his children and his mother-just to show everyone it is safe and that they are allowed to do that. You have to be at least 18 years of age to participate. Right now we have a passenger who is 84 years old who have signed up.
PGM: Will she go through an extensive preparation for this trip?
BR: She is going through full preparation and test regime. They will try every scenario imaginable. They are doing it in a very safe effective way. It is a very light aircraft. It is completely different from having all the fuel under you like the shuttle is. It is a much safer operation and that is why they are starting with space tourism. Another company that’s building a space resort; they were projecting that in 2012-2013. This is definitely going to change aviation.
PGM: Do you see space tourism expanding?
BR: Absolutely. They will have 4-5 different spacecraft and they will go up to space every 4 days after a 3 day training is completed. This is just the beginning.
PGM: …the experience of your life…..
BR: It is. Fewer than 500 people have ever been to space; that is what’s intriguing about that. It is going to be accessible to everyone.
PGM: The people who have signed up for this experience, what are they most concerned about?
BR: It is people who have always wanted this; have always been intrigued with this. One person shared a story of when he was 6 years old about something with space, and that they still have the book. If you still think about that as an adult, it was something that was within them to do this. This is going to be an everyday occurrence down the road, of course. Our main focus is space tourism.
PGM: Is it difficult to sell these trips?
BR: Because it is so new-it is something you have always wanted to do or something you will never do-Black or White. My job is to find the people who are interested and that really want to do this. More and more information are coming. We have been very blessed, since the unveiling in December ‘09, Virtuoso sold 12 seats. That is something that’s out there; the interest is out there. People are going to wait to see once he actually flies. A lot of people are saying they will go the second year instead. They sold out the first 100 seats for the people who want to go first; those are the founders. The pioneers of 200 people are in the second group of people who will go.