Richard Branson’s Virgin Galactic has resumed ticket sales for future trips to the edge of space, following the company’s first successful fully-crewed voyage in July. Virgin Galactic ticket prices start at $450,000, up from the firm’s prior price range of $200,000-$250,000. Customers will be able to purchase a multi-seat package to fly with friends or family, according to Virgin Galactic.
A full flight will also be available for purchase. A request for comment on cost for the latter two choices was not promptly reported by a Virgin Galactic representative.
Virgin Galactic, which has been on a mission to carry paying visitors to suborbital space for over two decades, launched its first fully crewed flight in July, taking its billionaire founder and three others 55 miles above Earth’s surface.
Virgin Galactic, unlike other private space businesses, does not launch rockets from the ground. Instead, a powerful jet flies its spacecraft around 50,000 feet above the ground. After that, the vehicle detaches before firing up its rocket boosters and beginning a near-vertical climb. Before the vehicle glides back to Earth for a runway touchdown, passengers experience a few minutes of weightlessness.
According to Virgin Galactic, over 600 customers have already purchased tickets costing $200,000-$250,000, with another 1,000 putting down deposits for future seats. In 2022, tourist flights will begin.
Virgin Galactic reported a $56 million adjusted loss for the second quarter on Thursday. The next test flight, according to the company, will take place in September. Virgin Galactic’s stock jumped 11% in after-hours trade on Thursday.
