Space tourism has taken another leap forward as Virgin Galactic unveiled the design for the passenger cabin of the , the world’s first commercial spacecraft.
Despite setbacks caused by the coronavirus pandemic, Richard Branson’s Virgin Galactic is still hoping to send space tourists on a 90-minute trip outside of the Earth’s atmosphere. The company had initially planned to start with , but that goal has been pushed back and no set date has been confirmed. However, plans appear to be moving forward as this week Virgin Galactic released a virtual tour of the VSS Unity’s passenger cabin.
Designed to house six passengers and a two-member crew, the cabin is fitted with reclining seats tailored to suit each person’s weight and height. Each passenger has a personal, integrated communication system that facilitates direct access to the two space pilots. Large circular porthole windows offer everyone on board spectacular views of the blue planet standing out against the blackness of space as the spacecraft ascends 97 km (60 miles) above Earth.
Smartphones are banned to avoid potential injuries from floating devices; however, that doesn’t mean photos are off limits. Sixteen cameras have been strategically placed around the cabin to capture stunning images of the “future astronauts” with the Earth in the background. Furthermore, two additional cameras will record videos of any awe-inspiring moments. The cabin also features a large, circular mirror in the back, designed “to allow our customers to see themselves in space in a way that has really never been done before,” stated George Whitesides, Virgin Galactic’s chief space officer.
In a statement, Whitesides confirmed that passengers will get the chance to unbuckle their harness and float within the cabin at a certain point in the flight. Soft furnishings are designed to prevent any injuries, and there are grips for passengers to hold on to for comfort.
Despite Branson’s claim that Virgin Galactic will open “space travel to everybody,” Reuters reports that 60 people have so far signed up, at a cost of $250,000 per ticket. The spacecraft will depart from Virgin Galactic’s spaceport in , taking to the skies with the aid of a larger aircraft before detaching mid-air and blasting into space.
