Virgin Galactic to open reservations for $450,000 spaceflight

Virgin is opening up an initial 1,000 slots for its 90-minute journeys to the edge of the atmosphere, the total cost of which runs to $450,000 – $5,000 a minute.

Chief executive Michael Colglazier said the firm hoped to have its first 1,000 passengers lined up by the time commercial services get under way later this year.

Those who reserve will be inducted into Virgin Galactic’s Future Astronaut membership community, providing access to exclusive experiences, events, trips and space-readiness activities ahead of their spaceflight.

Spaceflights depart Spaceport America in New Mexico, and will be preceded by several days of preparatory activities. Astronauts will then experience a 90-minute journey to space, which includes a Mach-3 boost and several minutes of weightlessness.

Virgin Galactic has also revealed a consumer brand overhaul with a new logo featuring its ship, which it says it hopes will inspire generations of future astronauts.