Sending a Big Cheese Into Space - Richard Branson, First CEO to Visit Space

Richard Branson in space #Unity22
Photo: Virgin Galactic

Last month Amazon CEO, Jeff Bezos, announced his intention to send himself into space on a test flight for his Blue Origin Space Tourist trips. Clearly Virgin Galactic CEO, Richard Branson, was having none of that, today becoming the first 'big cheese' to visit space and probably a strong contender for the list of weird things sent into space.

Apparently Richard brought forward his company's schedule of test flights for his reusable space tourist bus, the VSS Unity, with this flight being only the second time the craft has carried people.

The success of Richard's trip is dependent upon which classification of what constitutes being in 'outer space' you endorse.

Evidently crossing something called the Kármán line - 100 kilometers/62 miles up - is what the US Department of Defense considers to be 'outer space' however you don't need to go that high to experience true weightless space travel. The US Federal Aviation Administration considers 'space' to be a paltry 50 miles up.

The VSS Unity tops out at about 55 miles up, at which time the crew can unbuckle and experience about two minutes of weightless flight, before making their descent.

As far as I'm concerned, Richard needs to try harder and shoot for the moon. I won't be seriously impressed until I see a big cheese on the moon - preferably an actual big cheese construction and not just a CEO in a space suit.

Seriously though, props to Richard, Jeff, and even Elon Musk, who was present for Richard's historic flight, who are all doing their best to bring space travel to the people. Even if it is still seriously rich people who can afford the seat price, but maybe you can start a crowd funder to pay for your seat?

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