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Inside Virgin Galactic’s space plane where a ticket can be yours for the eye-watering price of £365,000

VIRGIN Galactic successfully flew four passengers to the edge of space yesterday, in a final test run which makes its space plane open for tourists.

So, let's take a look inside the vehicle - where it costs an eye-watering $450,000 (£365,000) for a 90-minute trip of a lifetime.

Shaking off the anchoring of gravity is one of the main drivers behind forking out so much cash for an hour and a half experience
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Shaking off the anchoring of gravity is one of the main drivers behind forking out so much cash for an hour and a half experienceCredit: Virgin Galactic
This photo released by Virgin Galactic shows mission specialist Jamila Gilbert, center, looking out one of the portal windows as she experiences weightlessness during a test flight on Thursday, May 25, 2023. Virgin Galactic completed what’s expected to be its final test flight Thursday before taking paying customers on brief trips to space. (Virgin Galactic via AP)
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Mission specialist Jamila Gilbert looking out one of the portal windows as she experiences weightlessness during the VSS Unity's final test flight on ThursdayCredit: Virgin Galactic via AP
epa09339453 A framegrab from a video made available by Virgin Galatic shows Sir Richard Branson (L) aboard SpaceShip Two Unity 22 as they attain zero gravity during their flight after take off from Spaceport America, in Truth or Consequenses, New Mexico, USA, 11 July 2021. EPA/VIRGIN GALACTIC / HANDOUT HANDOUT EDITORIAL USE ONLY/NO SALES
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A shot from a video of Sir Richard Branson aboard VSS Unity in July 2021Credit: EPA/ Virgin Galactic

Virgin Galactic uses a carrier aircraft with two pilots who take off from a runway, gain high altitude, and drop a rocket-powered plane (with two other pilots) that soars into space.

In yesterday's launch, the VSS Unity spaceplane, created by Richard Branson's space venture, was suspended 54.2 miles above Earth's surface for three minutes.

This is high enough for each passenger to automatically become an astronaut by Nasa's standards.

That US space agency, alongside the US Air Force, award astronaut status to anyone who gets above 50 miles (80km). 

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Although other authorities say outer space begins at an altitude of 62 miles (100km).

In this brief window of time, space tourists are able to experience weightlessness.

Shaking off the anchoring of gravity is one of the main appeals for forking out so much cash for an hour-and-a-half experience.

Up to six people can fly at one time, which includes two pilots.

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The exclusivity in the number of seats helps us folk on the ground better understand the lofty price tag.

The cabin is decked out with 17 port-hole-style windows for each of its four passengers to use as they peer outward into the universe.

Every seat is a window seat so there'll be no sharpening of elbows to get the best view.

And every chair is custom made to fit each passenger.

As part of the $450,000 package, customers get to bring along three guests, undergo a five-day readiness programme, get a custom spacesuit and wings they can take home, as well as a photo and video kit.

Virgin Galactic is hoping to kick off its tourism flights as soon as next month.

The company aims to fly around once per month using Unity and its sister plane Eve, once commercial operations begin, according to company president Mike Moses.

By 2026, Virgin Galactic aims to be taking paying customers to suborbital space every day.

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Analysts expect ticket prices to shrink over time as the novelty wears off.

But space tourism is expected to remain a privilege of Earth's ultra-wealthy, no matter how starry-eyed you are about the prospects.

Billionaire Richard Branson makes a statement as crew members Beth Moses and Sirisha Bandla float in zero gravity on board Virgin Galactic's passenger rocket plane VSS Unity after reaching the edge of space above Spaceport America near Truth or Consequences, New Mexico, U.S. July 11, 2021 in a still image from video. Virgin Galactic/Handout via REUTERS. NO RESALES. NO ARCHIVES. THIS IMAGE HAS BEEN SUPPLIED BY A THIRD PARTY.
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Crew members Beth Moses and Sirisha Bandla float in zero gravity after reaching the edge of space in July 2021Credit: Virgin Galactic / Reuters
This photo released by Virgin Galactic shows a view of Earth from Virgin Galactic's rocket plane as it reaches an altitude of more than 54 miles during a test flight on Thursday, May 25, 2023. Virgin Galactic completed what's expected to be its final test flight Thursday before taking paying customers on brief trips to space. (Virgin Galactic via AP)
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A view of Earth from Virgin Galactic's space plane as it reaches an altitude of more than 54 milesCredit: Virgin Galactic via AP
Virgin Galactic's VSS Unity, piloted by CJ Sturckow and Dave Mackay, is seen in a still image from video during its first manned spaceflight after being released from its mothership, VMS Eve, from Spaceport America, New Mexico, U.S. May 22, 2021. Virgin Galactic/Handout via REUTERS. NO RESALES. NO ARCHIVES. THIS IMAGE HAS BEEN SUPPLIED BY A THIRD PARTY.
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The cabin is decked out with 17 port-hole-style windows for each of its four passengers to use as they peer outward into the universeCredit: Virgin Galactic/ Reuters
FILE PHOTO: Virgin Galactic's passenger rocket plane VSS Unity is towed to the hangar after billionaire entrepreneur Richard Branson and his crew, reached the edge of space, at Spaceport America near Truth or Consequences, New Mexico, U.S., July 11, 2021. REUTERS/Joe Skipper/File Photo
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Virgin Galactic is hoping to kick off its tourism flights as soon as next monthCredit: Reuters / Joe Skipper

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