I’ve always been fascinated by pioneers. I marveled at the 15^th and 16th-century sea captains who sailed into the horizon, navigating only by the stars, and not knowing when or where they would set foot on land again. I loved stories about the pioneers of the 1800s who packed all their possessions into wagon trains and settled the American west. I’m old enough to remember the collective feeling of awe felt on Earth when Apollo 11 landed on the moon in 1967 and Neil Armstrong said his famous words, “One small step for man, one giant leap for mankind.” Now modern aerospace technology is making it possible for ordinary men and women to become pioneers in space travel and tourism!

The people who choose to travel into suborbital space with Virgin Galactic in the 21st century are also pioneers, just like those courageous men and women of earlier eras. Space travelers will be taking the “next step” for all mankind as they participate in the expansion of the known world. Space tourism has the potential to help develop heretofore unknown programs and technologies that might benefit our future and change the world. Maybe these flights will lead to reducing commercial airline flight times to a fraction of what they are now. Or maybe space tourism will be a building block for creating interstellar communities. Who knows?

Characteristics of Space Travelers

The first space travelers undoubtedly share some qualities with their historical pioneer counterparts. They can certainly be characterized as explorers since fewer than 700 people worldwide have been into space. Given that there are about seven billion humans alive today, Virgin Galactic space travelers will be part of a very exclusive group!

They are also adventurers with an appetite for pushing the limits. In this case, going beyond the Earth’s atmosphere!

Pioneers are prepared for their mission. The Virgin Galactic pre-flight Space Readiness Program includes activities, training, and special events to ensure that astronauts are physically, mentally, and spiritually ready for space. But preflight training is definitely not all work. It’s a time to bond and collaborate with fellow astronauts and crew. Friends and family can even accompany the space traveler to the astronaut campus, Spaceport America in New Mexico.

Qualifications for Going into Space

Professional astronauts must log a minimum of 1,000 hours of jet pilot-in-command experience, earn a master’s degree in a STEM field, and other rigorous qualifications. Fortunately, private space travel doesn’t require years of training and dedication. That’s mainly because Virgin Galactic guests are not responsible for piloting and the safety of the spacecraft. Highly experienced operational teams drawn from the world of aerospace and aviation do all the “heavy lifting.”

A seat on a private spacecraft does, however, come with a substantial financial commitment. For that investment, you’ll have bragging rights that very, very few others can match! Like any technology, the cost of private space travel will eventually come down, but early adopters do often pay more for the privilege of having the experience before the masses. Think of the relative price of the first televisions, computers, and hand-held calculators. A laptop that cost several thousand dollars 10 years ago is only a few hundred dollars today.

Is space travel for you?

Do you thrive on being one of the first to explore new and untouched places? Leaving Earth’s atmosphere definitely qualifies! Are you an adventurer? Imagine floating weightlessly inside your spacecraft as you look out the window to see the whole blue marble of Earth from miles above. Are you able to commit the financial resources to enjoy one of the most elite and exclusive experiences money can buy?  

Only a few more people will get to be the first space travel pioneers because nearly all the seats are claimed. As a Virtuoso member, Covington Travel has access to the remaining spots, so if you would like more information on how to apply, please reach out to us. Although I haven’t personally experienced space travel (yet), I can assure you, it will be out of this world!