https://cdn.pixabay.com/photo/2016/07/19/04/40/moon-1527501_960_720.jpg Virgin Galactic is working to drastically transform access to space and bring us space tourism not in a few years, but in a few months. ## Stationed in New Mexico, they are set to become the world's very first [publicly traded commercial human space company](https://finance.yahoo.com/news/virgin-galactic-invest-first-commercial-131600915.html). They are said to be only months away from offering private journeys, that are estimated to cost roughly $250k per trip. # Hundreds of people have already paid deposits, planning for their own private astronaut experience, looking for the chance to travel to space. https://media3.giphy.com/media/1AeRujyfNSXi35GDU8/giphy.gif Prior to leaving, those who have booked a [trip are expected](https://www.newscientist.com/article/2209183-virgin-galactic-to-become-the-first-publicly-traded-space-travel-firm/) to show up a few days prior, to familiarize themselves and prepare for the journey ahead. The $250k trip to space is going to include a 90 minute flight, and though they've already successfully completed a space test, they are still looking to conduct more testing in order to ensure that they can provide a safe experience for tourists who will be looking to travel with them. They don't want to stop there either, they've even mentioned plans *[for space hotels](https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/virgin-galactic-space-hotels/)* in the future as well, and day trips to the moon. From the hundreds who have already booked their trips, they've been able to collect [tens of millions](https://www.latimes.com/business/la-fi-richard-branson-virgin-galactic-public-trading-20190709-story.html) in deposits so far. https://media2.giphy.com/media/3o6nV8srtYVDGqrR1C/giphy.gif British billionaire Sir Richard Branson has admitted that Virgin Galactic will be merged eventually with Social Capital Hedosophia, [which is expected to close later this year](https://www.latimes.com/business/la-fi-richard-branson-virgin-galactic-public-trading-20190709-story.html), once that merger is complete it will have established a new company that will be referred to as Virgin Galactic Holdings Inc. Virgin Galactic are believed to be [slightly ahead of their competitors](https://mashable.com/article/virgin-galactic-goes-public/) at the moment in the way of offering commercial space travel. [Branson has admitted that this project is going](https://www.theguardian.com/science/2019/jul/09/richard-branson-virgin-galactic-go-public) to inevitably open space to more investors and that it will bring a new opportunity to thousands, for them to experience what it's like to be an astronaut and travel to space. # It's been previously [estimated by UBS Group AG that the annual space](https://www.bloomberg.com/opinion/articles/2019-07-09/richard-branson-s-virgin-galactic-asks-investors-on-space-trip) tourism market might be worth roughly $3 billion by 2030. https://secure.i.telegraph.co.uk/multimedia/archive/01745/spaceport_1745516a.jpg So far, the [UK, Australia, Italy,k and the United Arab Emirates](https://beta.canada.com/news/world/virgin-galactic-eyes-building-own-spaceport-after-securing-1-3-billion-dollar-deal/wcm/2f18485c-68f7-4e78-9cd8-935681ca7241/amp/), have all expressed an interest to potentially build spacesports in the future. They've already got a commercial spaceport ready that's located in New Mexico, the next one might be located [in the UK](https://www.telegraph.co.uk/technology/2019/07/09/sir-richard-bransons-virgin-galactic-become-worlds-first-publicly/). Branson himself has also admitted his own [plans to travel up sometime next year](https://www.theguardian.com/science/2019/jul/09/richard-branson-virgin-galactic-go-public). As they continue to build more spaceships they expect that the $250k price tag will come down, making it more affordable for a greater number of travelers who might be interested. They will need to establish a strong safety record though and any mishaps will have the ability to greatly impact the future success of the operation and willingness of people to experiment with space travel. Pics: pixabay [pic2](https://giphy.com/explore/virgin-galactic) [pic3](https://giphy.com/explore/richard-branson) [pic4](https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/science/space/8082518/Opening-of-spaceports-first-runway-brings-space-tourism-closer.html) *The information posted above is for informational purposes only and should not be considered financial advice.* https://steemitimages.com/DQmaW48YhsgLS2fxaYkXCuon3tFpQEEh1tSUCU3jjJXv7RT/%40doitvoluntarily.gif

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