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Virgin Galactic sees double the demand for space travel Virgin Galactic sees demand for space travel surge
(about 1 hour later)
Virgin Galactic said it will release more tickets for flights into space as demand doubles. Virgin Galactic has said it will release more tickets for flights into space amid surging demand.
The company launched its One Small Step qualification programme on Wednesday which requires a $1,000 (£769) deposit. Sir Richard Branson's firm, which completed its first sub-orbital test flight in 2018, said it had received almost 8,000 registrations of interest for future commercial flights.
Sir Richard Branson's space firm said it had already received almost 8,000 registrations of interest for future flights. That is more than double the amount it recorded at the end of September 2019.
The firm has so far sold 600 tickets for its inaugural flight, scheduled for later this year.
The news comes as Virgin Galactic's latest company results show a net loss of $73m for the last quarter.The news comes as Virgin Galactic's latest company results show a net loss of $73m for the last quarter.
The California-based space venture said customers who place a deposit will reserve a spot for when more seats become available. Currently, the California-based space venture charges customers a deposit of $1,000 to register their interest for future flights. That puts them on a waiting list for when more seats become available.
Virgin Galactic said prices and timing for its next flight are not available yet. Tickets for its inaugural commercial flights sold for around $250,000 per seat. Virgin Galactic said prices and timing for its next flight were not available yet. Tickets for its inaugural flight retailed at $250,000 apiece.
Virgin Galactic has already booked more than 600 reservations as it prepares for its first commercial flights into space, scheduled for later this year.
Those to have already purchased tickets include celebrities Justin Bieber and Leonardo DiCaprio. Sir Richard Branson has said he will be on the first trip.Those to have already purchased tickets include celebrities Justin Bieber and Leonardo DiCaprio. Sir Richard Branson has said he will be on the first trip.
Virgin Galactic said it had received 7,957 registrations of interest in space flights as of 23 February - more than double the amount it recorded at the end of September 2019. "We have been greatly encouraged by the ongoing and increasing demand seen from around the world for personal spaceflight," said Stephen Attenborough, Virgin Galactic's commercial director. Virgin Galactic saw its losses widen in the three months to December, compared with a $46m loss in the same period in 2018.
"We have been greatly encouraged by the ongoing and increasing demand seen from around the world for personal spaceflight," said Stephen Attenborough, Virgin Galactic's Commercial Director. Virgin Galactic saw its losses widen in the fourth quarter (October to December) compared with a $46m loss in the same period in 2018. Virgin Galactic is the only publicly-listed space tourism group, having floated on the New York stock exchange last October.
Virgin Galactic is the only publicly-listed space tourism group, having floated on the New York stock exchange last October. Its share price fell almost 6% in after-hours trading.
The company, along with Elon Musk's SpaceX and Jeff Bezos's Blue Origin, have all been in a race to send tourists into orbit.The company, along with Elon Musk's SpaceX and Jeff Bezos's Blue Origin, have all been in a race to send tourists into orbit.