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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
National
John Besley & Ryan Merrifield

Virgin Galactic space tickets to start at over £320,000 with flights from next year

Virgin Galactic space flight tickets will start at £324,000.

Sir Richard Branson's space-tourism company said it is on track to commence commercial space flights in 2022, but individual tickets will be well beyond the reaches of the average punter.

The firm received approval from the Federal Aviation Administration for a full commercial launch license in June - paving the way for eager spacefarers to purchase a ride to the stars.

Tickets are available in single seats as well as multi and full-flight packages, with "early hand-raisers" to be given first priority.

Chief executive Michael Colglazier said the move to reopen ticket sales stems from a surge in consumer interest that followed successful spaceflights in May and July - the latter of which included owner Sir Richard as a passenger.

Would you pay for a ticket on a Virgin Galactic flight? Let us know in the comments

Sir Richard Branson became the first billionaire to go into space in July (AFP via Getty Images)

He said: "We successfully completed two spaceflights from New Mexico - the latest carrying a full crew of mission specialists in the cabin and garnering an extraordinary global media and consumer response.

"As we endeavour to bring the wonder of space to a broad global population, we are delighted to open the door to an entirely new industry and consumer experience."

Following the July flight, Sir Richard said the experience was "everything I could have possibly dreamt of".

Sir Richard on a live YouTube stream during the rocket launch (SIPA USA/PA Images)

He said: "It was a lifetime dream. Dreams don't often turn into reality, and it was just wonderful.

"One of the most ridiculous moments is, having said a few words, just unbuckling and just drifting off one's feet, then floating on top of the roof and looking down at our beautiful Earth, and seeing other people floating past you and realising 'I'm an astronaut'."

He became the first billionaire businessman to go into space on July 11, beating rival Jeff Bezos by nine days.

SpaceShipTwo space plane Unity 22 launched from Virgin Galactic’s Spaceport America, located in New Mexico.

Six passengers were aboard, including pilots Dave Mackay and Michael 'Sooch' Masucci.

The shuttle ascended to the point where NASA and the US military define the line between Earth and outer space, approximately twice the average cruising altitude of a commercial aeroplane.

The company said its next spaceflight is targeted to occur in late September.

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