Richard Branson's Virgin Galactic Strikes Deal With NASA to Help Take Tourists to Space

[Mrs. Overall]

Source: The Daily Beast

Billionaire Richard Branson’s space tourism venture, Virgin Galactic, will start organizing private trips to the International Space Station as part of a new deal with NASA, the company announced Monday.

In a statement, Virgin Galactic said it had reached an agreement with NASA to develop “a new private orbital astronaut readiness program” which will see it find companies or organizations who want to send private citizens to the ISS, train up the wannabe astronauts on how to prepare for orbit and how to use the ISS, and then find the right transportation to shoot them to the satellite station.

The company said the journeys will range from “private citizen expeditions to government-enabled scientific research missions.” George Whitesides, CEO of Virgin Galactic said: “We want to bring the planetary perspective to many thousands of people.”

Read more: https://www.thedailybeast.com/richard-bransons-virgin-galactic-strikes-deal-with-nasa-to-help-take-tourists-to-the-iss

[hlthe2b]

1. My migraines (not to mention lack of immense wealth) exclude me....

But, I understand the desire...

[Newest Reality]

2. Oh boy! Golly gee!

Guess who won't be participating in that, ever?

Many thousands of very wealthy people will be able to symbolically rise above us in yet another way that reflects the freedom that capitalism bestows. We can look up in awe as they visit space just for the thrill of it and ponder how they can build something more substantial and luxurious to live in after a bout of planet raping and exploitation of human capital stock. We might wonder if the herd will be put down or left to languish in plastic, pollution and devastating climate change.

Space tourism is a really important thing for humanity right now, huh? It's like having a BBQ while your house is burning down. However, I jest.

The billions being made by the self-made, independent, did it all by themselves are what matters most to all of us and now that America is now a contracting economy from here on in, we should applaud the steps being taken to give options to the wealthy in the long run while we start to die from the high temperatures, etc. You really have to admire capitalism and how it gives so much to so few.

Elysium! Breakaway civilization in progress. We may at least get some Soylent Green when it comes out if we are lucky...oh, wait...

[Locrian]

5. thanks beat me to it

JFC our priories are so f-ed up

Racism? Nahhh
Economy? forgetaboutit
Global warming? What's that?

space travel? ohhhhh! cooool, millionaires in space is so awesome

[Newest Reality]

6. Thanks for listing...

Thanks for listing the priorities that we face. There is a huge list prior to Elites in Space: Luxury in the Void.

But wait...there's more!

I am anticipating the immortal cyborg trillionairess who will shuttle down from their Elysium Space Station to do some recreational hunting and the game will be us. Sports are always fun.

[Locrian]

8. but of course

nothing like the buzz of being rich and privileged and seeing how all those "other people" have to live
shudders

[SharonClark]

10. Well said.

[PSPS]

3. Great! Another joy ride for untaxed billionaires!!!111!!!1

[sarcasmo]

4. Take Trump for free and open the hatch.

[Crowman2009]

7. Virgin should get their own damn space station.

I don't think astronauts/cosmonauts should be wasting their time babysitting a bunch of space tourists. More emphasis needs to be placed on getting scientists/engineers from countries who lack space programs onto the ISS instead. Maybe even get civilian pilots trained as astronauts/cosmonauts to fly the commercial crew spacecraft.

[Xolodno]

9. Well...

There was once talk of bringing the ISS down into the Pacific as it's a good chunk of NASA's budget and it hampers other projects. How long it lasts was dependent on if other countries were willing to chip in a larger portion to keep it up there.

One thought was to allow private space companies to take up some of the costs with private research from various companies. If it works, they can keep the ISS up there longer. But then comes the reality, repair issues, there is no shuttle to bring large cargo. Obviously we retired our fleet, the ESA canceled theirs and Russia's program died with the fall of the Soviet Union.

So at some point, it will come down. But then again, perhaps a new, cheaper and more efficient station can be created by private companies or private/government(s).

[not_the_one]

11. Richard should do something more beneficial. Like LONG TERM ASSISTED LIVING!!! ...

Of which I could probably use, in about a decade... maybe a little longer.

Remember the "spinning wheel orbital space station" in 2001, A Space Odyssey? (STILL one of the most incredible movies of all time!)

Logically, it would be perfect as a senior citizen, or long term, assisted living facility. It would be the best use for it, since gravity lessens the closer you get to the center. As residents age, and become less mobile, they could be moved closer to the center to take advantage of needing less and less energy to get around the beautiful (Japanese style) mini apartment, with a beautiful view of a rotating EARTH.

Affordable on social security...

Hell, you are dying, or close to it, so little issues like bone density could finally take a back seat, just so you could still move around under your own power, with the flick of a finger! COOL!!!

What A Way To Go Out!!!!!!

Richard! Are You Listening?????

...or not. Just please the millionaires.

edit in bold