In a pioneering leap towards the future of space tourism, Virgin Galactic is gearing up for its highly anticipated first commercial flight to space this week. Scheduled for Thursday, this historic journey will carry an eclectic trio of passengers on the VSS Unity.

Meet The Passengers

Leading the group is 80-year-old Jon Goodwin, a former Olympian who has battled Parkinson’s disease. Hailing from Newcastle, Goodwin’s presence underscores the inclusive nature of this endeavor as he defies age and health limitations. For Mr. Goodwin, this is an 18-year journey that began with the purchase of a $250,000 ticket.

Keisha Schahaff, 46, and her daughter, Anastatia Mayers, 18, from Aberdeen will accompany Goodwin on the trip. This mother-daughter duo, who emerged victorious from a coveted prize draw, will etch their names in history. They will be the first to traverse the cosmos together.

The momentous launch is scheduled for 4 pm (BST) from New Mexico in the U.S. Officials will utilize the VMS Eve mothership to propel the VSS Unity into sub-orbital space. During the anticipated 90-minute flight, passengers will briefly experience weightlessness, gazing back at our planet from an unparalleled vantage point.

We're just 2 days away from the launch of #Galactic02! Get ready to witness the crew's incredible journey this Thursday, August 10 at 8:00 am PDT | 9:00 am MDT | 11:00 am EDT. Catch the livestream at https://t.co/70ZDzf8stU pic.twitter.com/2atAPw12yS
— Virgin Galactic (@virgingalactic) August 8, 2023

Space For Humanity

This venture goes beyond personal ambitions, as it contributes to a noble cause. The space voyage will raise funds for Space for Humanity, a non-profit organization committed to providing ordinary citizens with a transformative perspective on Earth’s challenges by sending them into space. The trio will share their experience with astronaut instructor Beth Moses, further emphasizing the collaborative spirit of this endeavor.

This historic mission follows Virgin Galactic’s successful commercial spaceflight in June, where the company facilitated Italian astronauts conducting scientific experiments in space. Appropriately dubbed Galactic 02, this first private astronaut mission is sure to reshape the possibilities of space travel, where ordinary individuals become pioneers in the cosmos.