Author Topic: Would you pay $250,000 to travel to space via Virgin Galactic's SpaceShipTwo? (Read 35700 times)

ClaytonBirchenough · « **on:** 07/21/2013 12:30 am »

Just thought I’d throw a poll out there and see how many enthusiasts would actually go on a Virgin Galactic ride to space via SpaceShipTwo. In order to prepare for the “ride”, one must pass centrifuge and medical tests. All this for just a few minutes in zero-g…

So what’ll it cost ya? Only $250,000.

As of this post, there are over 600 people signed up to fly on SpaceShipTwo. Some famous passengers of interest include Stephen Hawking, Tom Hanks, Ashton Kutcher, Katy Perry, Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie.

So… would you ride aboard SS2 into space for $250,000?

QuantumG · « **Reply #1 on:** 07/21/2013 12:32 am »

I bet the first option would have gotten a lot more votes a decade ago.

ClaytonBirchenough · « **Reply #2 on:** 07/21/2013 12:33 am »

Quote from: QuantumG on 07/21/2013 12:32 am

I bet the first option would have gotten a lot more votes a decade ago.

Why's that?

tigerade · « **Reply #3 on:** 07/21/2013 12:37 am »

Even if I had anywhere close to $250K to spend on something like this, I still wouldn't buy a ride. Unless I was at the Bill Gates or Warren Buffet level of wealth. If it were 100 times cheaper, around $2,500 or so, I would very seriously consider it and probably go. But I couldn't see spending a quarter million on just a few minutes in suborbital space.

Chris Bergin · « **Reply #4 on:** 07/21/2013 12:40 am »

No. I'd spend it on one of those media huts at KSC, buy a kettle, a sleeping bag and happily live there for the rest of my life

Of course, if someone offered me a free ticket, I'd hardly turn it down!

QuantumG · « **Reply #5 on:** 07/21/2013 12:40 am »

Quote from: ClaytonBirchenough on 07/21/2013 12:33 am

Quote from: QuantumG on 07/21/2013 12:32 am
I bet the first option would have gotten a lot more votes a decade ago.

Why's that?

The Ansari X-Prize was won on October 4, 2004. The buzz was incredible. There was people lining up to fly and they would have paid whatever was asked. After almost 9 years, it's all a bit ho-hum now.

ClaytonBirchenough · « **Reply #6 on:** 07/21/2013 12:44 am »

Quote from: QuantumG on 07/21/2013 12:40 am

The Ansari X-Prize was won on October 4, 2004. The buzz was incredible. There was people lining up to fly and they would have paid whatever was asked. After almost 9 years, it's all a bit ho-hum now.

Certainly the buzz was better 9 years ago, but 600 passengers represents over $120 million in revenue, not exactly "ho-hum."

I can't imagine the buzz when the first passengers are given a ride into space. Bookings will surely skyrocket!

ClaytonBirchenough · « **Reply #7 on:** 07/21/2013 12:46 am »

Quote from: Chris Bergin on 07/21/2013 12:40 am

No. I'd spend it on one of those media huts at KSC, buy a kettle, a sleeping bag and happily live there for the rest of my life

Of course, if someone offered me a free ticket, I'd hardly turn it down!

Not such a bad idea...

spectre9 · « **Reply #8 on:** 07/21/2013 12:53 am »

I voted no.

It's too much money to spend for the average person.

I don't think you'd need to be Bill Gates though.

It's more like what percentage of your net worth are you willing to spend?

People aren't going to sell their house to take a ride to space. For multi-millionaires though this would be a cool thing to do.

To me it looks like the safety drives the cost.

I'd rather a cheap ticket on SS1 and a chance to die in a fireball.

QuantumG · « **Reply #9 on:** 07/21/2013 01:09 am »

Quote from: spectre9 on 07/21/2013 12:53 am

I'd rather a cheap ticket on SS1 and a chance to die in a fireball.

Once upon a time, people talked about suborbital space tourism as a means for paying the bills while developing engines, vehicles, and operational knowledge for cheap access to space. First suborbital, then orbital, then beyond. So that ticket wasn't just about a joy ride, it was about being part of the revolution. "Safety" would not be expected because it was understood that everyone was learning. These days they're talking about kids on suborbital vehicles, it's almost entirely backwards now.

mheney · « **Reply #10 on:** 07/21/2013 01:29 am »

I've got a ride booked on XCOR's Lynx - but that's due more to a case of fortuitous circumstance than anything else.

I'd be unlikely to pay $250,000 unless I was up in Bill Gates terrory - and if I had THAT much cash, I'd be buying a ride on a Dragon for some orbital time.

VatTas · « **Reply #11 on:** 07/21/2013 06:09 am »

If i were at Bill Gates level, I wouldn't be buying ride on SS2 - I would own one.
Seriously, if I were that rich I would be investing into SpaceX, REL or Blue Origin, not buying joyrides.

vt_hokie · « **Reply #12 on:** 07/21/2013 06:48 am »

I went with the Bill Gates option. Seriously, I'd have to be pretty darn wealthy...but if I had enough money that I could spend that much on a joyride while still being able to fund more pressing and more altruistic things as well, then maybe. (Altruistic referring to making sure my family was taken care of and yes, also contributing to charities and other worthy causes.)

Honestly, I'm not sure exactly where my risk tolerance lies....would I strap myself into this vehicle before it's well proven? I hesitate to say yes. Obviously there's always risk, but I think I'd want some flight history before I signed up.

Hauerg · « **Reply #13 on:** 07/21/2013 06:57 am »

No.

For me "space" just meaning "airless" always has been of no interest.
Flying SS2 with will yield operational experience, which I find great. But hybrid engines will not help us on our way to sustainable travel throughout the Solar system.

And as you might have guessed, the money is not there.

And I find all that VTOVL stuff much more relevant.
And not to forget methane engines.

MP99 · « **Reply #14 on:** 07/21/2013 07:07 am »

@Hauerg,

I'm with ya - the only way SS2 is getting into space is if aliens mysteriously transport it there.

A quick flit above the Karman lline ain't doing it. Only 1% of the way. But would be a cool stunt if I was rich as Kroesus, so "Gates" option for me.

But poll really needs to add a "it's not really space" option.

Cheers, Martin

Rabidpanda · « **Reply #15 on:** 07/21/2013 07:23 am »

Quote from: MP99 on 07/21/2013 07:07 am

@Hauerg,

I'm with ya - the only way SS2 is getting into space is if aliens mysteriously transport it there.

A quick flit above the Karman lline ain't doing it. Only 1% of the way. But would be a cool stunt if I was rich as Kroesus, so "Gates" option for me.

But poll really needs to add a "it's not really space" option.

Cheers, Martin

It's in space, it's just not in orbit.

MP99 · « **Reply #16 on:** 07/21/2013 07:38 am »

Quote from: Rabidpanda on 07/21/2013 07:23 am

Quote from: MP99 on 07/21/2013 07:07 am
@Hauerg,

I'm with ya - the only way SS2 is getting into space is if aliens mysteriously transport it there.

A quick flit above the Karman lline ain't doing it. Only 1% of the way. But would be a cool stunt if I was rich as Kroesus, so "Gates" option for me.

But poll really needs to add a "it's not really space" option.

Cheers, Martin

It's in space, it's just not in orbit.

It's only in "space", not space, *because* it ain't in orbit. Only my opinion, but it's one many people share.

I can stick my head in a bucket of water for 30 secs - doesn't mean that's comparable to me taking a submarine ride.

Cheers, Martin

QuantumG · « **Reply #17 on:** 07/21/2013 08:35 am »

Quote from: MP99 on 07/21/2013 07:38 am

It's only in "space", not space, *because* it ain't in orbit. Only my opinion, but it's one many people share.

It's not a matter of opinion. You're wrong.

thydusk666 · « **Reply #18 on:** 07/21/2013 08:54 am »

YES, I'd fly twice a weekend if I had the money.

spectre9 · « **Reply #19 on:** 07/21/2013 08:54 am »

Suborbital space and orbital space are the same thing. The trajectory is different.

An "orbital trajectory" is simply called an orbit.

A suborbital trajectory is a trajectory intersecting the atmosphere.

Poll

Would you pay $250,00 to travel to space via Virgin Galactic's SpaceShipTwo?

Author Topic: Would you pay $250,000 to travel to space via Virgin Galactic's SpaceShipTwo? (Read 35700 times)