City
Epaper

Branson-Bezos space tourism race begins, world on the edge

By IANS | Updated: July 11, 2021 10:25 IST

San Francisco, July 11 In what could be termed as a defining moment in the history of space, ...

Open in App

San Francisco, July 11 In what could be termed as a defining moment in the history of space, Virgin Galactic was all set to launch its billionaire CEO Richard Branson and three company employees to the edge of space on Sunday (6.30 p.m. India time).

If successful, the mission, called Unity 22, will mark Virgin Galactic's fourth flight to space carrying humans, with its largest crew yet.

Popular American TV host Stephen Colbert was set to host the mission's livestream while singer-songwriter Khalid was set to perform a new single live onstage following the spaceplane's landing.

Branson said he will "announce something very exciting" after his spaceflight, reports The Verge.

Four people, including Branson, will test the astronaut cabin experience with two pilots in the cockpit.

Virgin Galactic's twin-fuselage WhiteKnight carrier aircraft will carry a rocket-powered spaceship called VSS Unity, with Branson and others on board.

"About 40 minutes after takeoff, Unity will drop from the middle of the mothership and ignite its rocket engine moments later to send Branson and the crew to the edge of space, about 89 kms high, for a few minutes of weightlessness.

Unity will return to a landing strip at Spaceport America.

Virgin Galactic has already sold nearly 600 tickets, with each ticket costing nearly $250,000.

After Branson, Amazon Founder Jeff Bezos is expected to take off in his own space tourism Blue Origin rocket on July 20.

The Karman line, 100 kms above the ground, is the boundary of space.

Blue Origin's New Shepard rocket aims to launch its crew capsule just beyond the Karman line for a few minutes of weightlessness, while Virgin Galactic's SpaceShipTwo spaceplane flies 89 kms high just over the boundary of space defined by the US government.

Disclaimer: This post has been auto-published from an agency feed without any modifications to the text and has not been reviewed by an editor

Tags: TwitchVss unitySan FranciscoUnityStephen ColbertSan francisco bayRichard bransonJose d'sa
Open in App

Related Stories

InternationalSan Francisco Earthquake: 4.3 Magnitude Tremor Jolts Bay Area at 3 AM, No Tsunami Threat

NationalAir India to Suspend Direct Delhi–Washington Services from September 1, Offers Alternate Routes

MumbaiCockroaches Spotted on Air India Flight from San Francisco to Mumbai; Plane Cleaned in Kolkata

NationalAir India Flight From San Francisco to Mumbai Suffers Technical Snag; Passengers Deplaned at Kolkata Airport (Watch Videos)

NationalBapu Surat Singh Khalsa Dies: Sikh Activist Who Led Punjab’s Longest Hunger Strike Passes Away at 91

Technology Realted Stories

TechnologyMinister lauds FSSAI for training more than 3 lakh street food vendors

TechnologyIndia eyeing investment of Rs 1.82 lakh crore in shipbuilding sector: Minister

TechnologyGST without ITC hits affordability and accessibility in India’s tourism sector: FHRAI

TechnologyCountdown begins for govt employees to pick between NPS and UPS as deadline nears

TechnologySteps like GST reforms and citizen-first infrastructure showcase commitment to citizens: PM Modi