Virgin Galactic has revealed the sophisticated interior of its SpaceShipTwo, designed for passengers to experience weightlessness during suborbital flights. Commercial tickets, however, remain on the horizon.
Four years ago, Richard Branson's Virgin Galactic introduced SpaceShipTwo, a rocket plane built to transport two pilots and up to six passengers on suborbital journeys lasting about three hours. Travelers will enjoy several minutes of zero-gravity floating.
Currently in testing, SpaceShipTwo reached 89.9 kilometers in altitude during its fifth powered test flight in February 2019, nearing the unofficial space boundary of 100 kilometers (Kármán line)—up from 82.7 kilometers in the prior test.
The upcoming flight, the final test before commercial operations, aims to surpass 100 km with four crew members simulating passengers.
Virgin Galactic showcased the cabin's interior during an online event on Tuesday, July 28. Images highlight a dozen portholes for breathtaking Earth views, personalized seats, a rear mirror for capturing zero-gravity moments, and 16 onboard cameras to record each passenger's experience for personal keepsakes.
In space, the ship reorients for optimal Earth viewing through the portholes. Passengers unbuckle to float freely, using tested handles—vetted by Virgin Galactic's chief instructor and former NASA astronaut trainer, Beth Moses, during last year's second test flight.
All passengers don custom Under Armour spacesuits, showcased by Branson earlier this year, offering flexibility and personalization for unrestricted movement.
After a few minutes, passengers return to seats as the ship prepares for descent.
No firm date for inaugural commercial flights yet, but over 600 reservations are confirmed at $250,000 per seat. Prices may rise initially before broadening access.
