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I became an Accredited Space Agent
in 2009 after I was hand-selected by Virgin Galactic to join the program.
There are only 120 travel consultants world-wide that are part of this
program so we are very excited!
To date, the world has seen fewer than 500
astronauts. With the launch of Virgin Galactic spaceflights though, that
will soon change. Together with Virgin Galactic we are poised to
turn the dream of going to space into a reality for our
clients. The once-in-a-lifetime experience includes Astronaut training,
‘G force’ acclimatization and a sensational spaceflight lasting over two
hours.
On December 7th 2009, in the Mojave
dessert, Virgin Galactic unveiled SpaceShipTwo. There were about 800 of us
including Sir Richard Branson, the founder of Virgin, Governor Arnold
Schwarzenegger, future astronauts and press. The ceremony also included Holly,
Richard’s daughter, who named the spaceship VSS Enterprise.
What a moment of history!
On March 22, 2010 we got one step closer when VSS
Enterprise took her first test flight (meaning it was coupled to its
revolutionary carrier aircraft WhiteKnightTwo) which was a huge success. On
October 10th VSS Enterprise achieved its first manned free flight from over
45,000 ft and successfully glides in 11 minutes to land at Mojave Air &
Spaceport.
ONE YEAR LATER….HERE WE ARE!
On March 2011, Fabian and I went to visit SpacePort
America...same month when the Accredited Space Agents surpassed the $10 million
mark in sales of future Space flights. We couldn’t believe it. What seemed like
just a dream a year ago is now a reality.
We flew into El Paso Texas and drove to Las Cruces which
took about 45 minutes. Las Cruces is a very small town with the best hotel
being “Hotel Encanto” . From there we
drove to the Spaceport America which was another 45 minutes. Very scenic drive
with the mysteries of the desert displayed all around and the infamous America
“ghost towns” all throughout.
Arriving to the Spaceport was like a mirage. It blends in
perfectly with the landscape. It was designer by Sir Norman Foster (along with
Philip Stark). Foster’s other projects include the new airport in Hong Kong,
Beijing International Airport, Metro Bilbao, Wembley Stadium and the “Gerkin”
Swiss Re Building in London.
We really couldn’t believe we were there. Still a work in
progress but my goodness…what a sensation to be present in the creation of history. It is set to be completed by end of
this year.
A few days later, the BBC's Richard Scott was the first journalist to be allowed inside the Virgin Galactic spaceship. Read story here
This is just the beginning of an extensive program for
Virgin that will not cease until the system is as safe as it can possibly
be. With no actual competitors and only a handful of other companies
even talking about offering sub-orbital tourist spaceflights, Virgin
Galactic are fully expected to be the first to operate commercial flights.
However that is not the priority, safety is
their guiding star.
TO VIEW OUR PHOTO ALBUM FROM THE VISIT, CLICK HERE
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