After flying its founder Richard Branson to space, Virgin Galactic is restarting ticket sales beginning at $450,000, the company announced Thursday.
The new price is about double the $200,000 to $250,000 paid
by around 600 people who previously booked seats on Virgin's spaceship between
2005 and 2014, as the company looks to cash in on the success of last month's
fully-crewed test flight.
"We are excited to announce the reopening of sales
effective today," said CEO Michael Colglazier in a statement, with first
dibs going to people on a waiting list.
"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."
On July 11, Branson beat Blue Origin owner Jeff Bezos to
space in a battle between the billionaires. Bezos achieved the feat nine days
later.
The next test flight will come in September and involve
members of the Italian Air Force.
There will be one further test after the September mission,
then the first commercial flights will take place in the third quarter of 2022,
Colglazier said in an earnings call.
The offerings for customers will include a single seat;
multi-seats for couples, friends or family; and a full-flight buyout.
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