Rediff.com« Back to articlePrint this article

IMAGES: The place where space tourism dreams turn real

Last updated on: November 05, 2014 13:59 IST

Photograph: Kind Courtesy, Virgin Galactic

The recent crash of the Virgin Galactic’s space plane raised many questions on the future of space tourism. This, however, did not deter the aspiring space tourists.

According to reports, of the 800 people that have signed up with Virgin Galactic for space travel, not many were deterred by the accident.

One waiting passenger, XPRIZE Foundation Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Peter Diamandis, issues a statement that said: “This is what exploring is all about. We risk our lives for what we believe in. This is the American way - the explorer’s way. I for one, am proud to be a Virgin Galactic client.”

We take you to the centre of all the action - the Mojave Air and SpacePort in California.

Photograph: Lucy Nicholson/Reuters

Virgin Galactic promises travellers a journey lasting about two hours, with several minutes of weightlessness and a view of the Earth framed against the blackness of space.

Photograph: Lucy Nicholson/Reuters

The moon rises over a hangar at the Mojave Air and SpacePort.

Photograph: Lucy Nicholson/Reuters

Virgin Galactic's CEO George T. Whitesides stands in front of their new spaceship N202VG, which the company began building 2 and a half years ago.

Photograph: Lucy Nicholson/Reuters

Virgin Galactic's new spaceship N202VG, which the company began building 2 and a half years ago, is seen in a hangar at Mojave Air and SpacePort.

Photograph: Lucy Nicholson/Reuters

Virgin Galactic's WhiteKnightTwo carrier aircraft mothership, which landed safely after splitting from SpaceShipTwo, is seen in a hangar at Mojave Air and SpacePort in Mojave.

Photograph: Lucy Nicholson/Reuters

Messages of condolences from social media are seen on the wall along a corridor of the Virgin Galactic hangar at Mojave Air and SpacePort in Mojave.

Photograph: Lucy Nicholson/Reuters

The sun sets behind the Virgin Galactic hangar at Mojave Air and SpacePort in Mojave.