YOUR FRIENDS' ACTIVITY

    Today in Tech

    Richard Branson to blast off into space next year on his spaceship’s maiden voyage

    By | Today in Tech – Thu, Jul 12, 2012

    The billionaire will be his space tourism company's first customer

    First, he took a dive to the bottom of the Pacific Ocean. Then he saved birds from extinction and set records for wind sailing the English Channel. Now, eccentric billionaire tycoon Richard Branson has a new unbelievable adventure planned: Next year, he and his family will become the first space tourists on Virgin Galactic's maiden voyage.

    Branson made the announcement today at the Farnborough Air Show in Southwest England, where he unveiled a full-size replica of the six-passenger SS2 spaceship he hopes to ride in. When the actual SS2 is ready to blast off from Spaceport America in New Mexico, Branson and his immediate family will be the first tour group to make the 60-mile, two-hour trip to space.

    Because Branson is the one backing the Virgin Galactic venture, he will likely get to get to ride for free. Future travelers won't be so lucky — the price for a two-hour trip into space is just around $200,000. A total of 529 people have already signed up to become citizen astronauts, including actor Ashton Kutcher and physicist Stephen Hawking.

    This article was written by Fox Van Allen and originally appeared on Tecca

    More from Tecca:

    Loading...
    Loading...

    More Tech News

     

    News for You »

    • 5.7-magnitude earthquake shakes Northern Calif

      GREENVILLE, Calif. (AP) — A magnitude 5.7 earthquake was widely felt as it rattled Northern California Thursday night, breaking dishes and shaking mirrors off walls. But authorities said there were no immediate reports of injury or serious damage.

    • No Wonder Republican Criticism of Obama Isn’t Working

      Henny Youngman, the late borscht belt comedian, told hundreds of politically incorrect jokes. One of them was his response when asked, “How’s your wife?” “Compared to what?” he’d say.

    • Cycling-Road-Giro d'Italia points classification after stage 18

      May 23 (Infostrada Sports) - Points Classification Giro d'Italia after Stage 18 on Thursday 1. Mark Cavendish (Britain / Omega Pharma - Quick-Step) 113 2. Cadel Evans (Australia / BMC Racing) 109 3. Vincenzo Nibali (Italy / Astana) 103 4. Carlos Betancur (Colombia / AG2R) 94 5. Mauro Santambrogio (Italy / Vini Fantini) 89 6. Giovanni Visconti (Italy / Movistar) 86 7. Rigoberto Uran (Colombia / Team Sky) 86 8. Elia Viviani (Italy / Cannondale) 72 9. Ramunas Navardauskas (Lithuania / Garmin) 65 10. Giacomo Nizzolo (Italy / RadioShack) 61

    • Sadly, you are uglier than you think

      At least according to one new study

    • Olazabal urges Woods and Garcia to settle row

      By Tony Jimenez VIRGINIA WATER, England (Reuters) - Former European Ryder Cup captain Jose Maria Olazabal drew on the memory of his 2003 spat with Padraig Harrington as he urged fellow Spaniard Sergio Garcia and Tiger Woods to settle their differences. Garcia and 14-times major winner Woods have always had a frosty relationship and the Spaniard had to issue an apology on Wednesday after making a "fried chicken" jibe at the world number one at the European Tour's Player of the Year dinner the previous day. ...

    • Dog Found Standing Guard Over a Tornado Victim Reunited With Her Owner

      There's a happy ending to the story of a dog, found alive in the rubble after a massive tornado devastated Moore, Oklahoma: she's been reunited with her owner.

    • Motor racing-Pirelli warn they could quit F1

      By Alan Baldwin MONACO, May 23 (Reuters) - Formula One tyre supplier Pirelli warned teams on Thursday that they will quit the sport at the end of the season if a new contract from 2014 is not agreed soon. Motorsport director Paul Hembery did not hide his impatience when he told reporters at the Monaco Grand Prix that time was running out for the Italian company to design and test tyres suitable for radically different 2014 regulations. "Apparently on Sept. 1 we are meant to tell them (the teams) everything that they need to know for the tyres for next season. ...

    • Distraught mom becomes face of Oklahoma storm

      MOORE, Okla. (AP) — A massive tornado was carving its way through town. There was no time to hesitate. LaTisha Garcia had to get to her children.

    Show More
    Loading...

    Follow Yahoo! News