Space Tourism
Today, national agencies like NASA aren't the only ones taking on the challenge of space exploration. Many private companies are developing vehicles to ferry astronauts, private citizens, and cargo into space.
Credit: Virgin Galactic
In 2009, Virgin Galactic unveiled its new spaceplane, SpaceShipTwo — currently undergoing flight-testing.
FLYING TO SPACE
Founded by entrepreneur Richard Branson, private company Virgin Galactic is developing spaceplanes that will one day carry paying citizens into suborbital space — more than 60 miles above Earth — for a brief but unforgettable journey.
TRAINING FOR THE TRIP
If you can afford a flight on SpaceShipTwo, get ready for days of pre-flight training to prepare for some of the intense effects. Several times during the flight, passengers will experience many times the normal force of gravity back on Earth.
Credit: Virgin Galatic
SIGN ME UP!
More than 400 people have put down deposits toward the U.S. $200,000 cost to travel aboard Virgin Galactic's SpaceShipTwo. Singer Katy Perry, for instance, bought a ticket for her husband, actor Russell Brand!
SPACEX
PayPal founder Elon Musk heads the private company SpaceX, which is building rockets and spacecraft that may one day carry more cargo (and maybe even humans) than any rocket since the Saturn V, which launched the Apollo missions to the Moon.
Pictured is SpaceX's Falcon rocket and Dragon capsule.
Credit: SpaceX
