This book examines the role of Virgin Galactic as a pioneer accessing the suborbital frontier.
The trail being blazed is establishing a partnership with governments and the private sector that will eventually permanently integrate the free market’s innovation of commercial suborbital space activities. Until recently, spaceflight had been the providence of a select corps of professional astronauts whose missions were experienced vicariously by the rest of the world via television reports and Internet feeds. These space-farers risked their lives in the name of science, exploration and adventure, thanks to government-funded manned spaceflight programs.
All that is about to change, in no small part to Virgin Galactic. Richard Branson predicts his spaceship company is less than 12 months from the first revenue-generating suborbital flight. With more than 600 seats sold at $250,000 each, what started off as a dream to send people just for the excitement of a voyage to look back and marvel at Earth, has finally turned into a business.
How did the company get to the point it is today and what will be the opportunities offered when suborbital trips become routine by the end of 2014? Additionally, what are the training and qualifications necessary to become a civilian astronaut?