Rocket pays up to become space cadet
A report in The Dominion Post says that the $250,000 price has failed to deter four aspiring Kiwi astronauts preparing to blast off with Virgin Galactic, including Kiwi internet entrepreneur Mark Rocket.
Two hundred space nuts from 30 countries have signed up for sub-orbital flights, costing $US200,000 ($NZ256,000) each, but by head of population, New Zealand has the most passengers on the manifest, and ranks seventh overall.
The first flight with Virgin Galactic, seating six, reserved for Branson and his family is scheduled to depart from New Mexico in late 2009 and will ascend 109km above Earth’s surface.
Three of the space tourists are from Christchurch, and one is from the North Island, with Mark Rocket the first Kiwi to sign up, saying. “Spending $US200,000 on the flight was not easy but was a small price to pay to fulfil a life-long ambition.”
“It has been a fantastic investment because it is a passion of mine.”
Real estate agent Jackie Maw, of Christchurch, signed up because of her passion for flight and her love of speed. “I’ve been a natural traveller. Most Kiwis are because we’re always so far away from anywhere.”
Virgin Galactic’s head of astronaut sales, Carolyn Wincer, originally from Nelson, was surprised at the interest from her home country. “There’s nothing like that anywhere else in the world.” “It just seems to be something in our psyche.”
During the three-hour flight the astronauts will experience extreme G-forces and weightlessness, enjoy 1000-mile views in any direction, and be able to see the thin blue line of the atmosphere.
The minimum deposit is $US20,000 ($NZ25,600) but three of the four Kiwis had already paid the full amount.
Report by The Mole
John Alwyn-Jones
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