Blue Origin vs. Virgin Galactic: A Guide to Their Space Tourism Flights
In July 2021, space tourism made headlines as Virgin Galactic and Blue Origin launched back-to-back suborbital flights, showcasing the future of recreational space travel. While both companies aim to make space accessible to civilians, their approaches to reaching the stars are distinct. Here’s a breakdown of what sets them apart.
The Goal: Suborbital Space Tourism
Both Virgin Galactic and Blue Origin offer flights that take passengers and experiments to suborbital space. These flights cross the boundary of outer space but don’t achieve orbit due to their speeds. The goal is to create a market for space tourism, allowing civilians to experience a few minutes of weightlessness in exchange for a hefty ticket price — which, in Blue Origin’s case, has reached millions.
The Launch Vehicles
- Virgin Galactic’s VSS Unity: This suborbital spaceplane is carried to about 15,000 meters (50,000 feet) by a jet-powered carrier aircraft, WhiteKnightTwo. The spaceplane is then released to ignite its rocket engine and ascend to space.
- Blue Origin’s New Shepard: This system includes a reusable booster and a passenger capsule. It follows a more traditional rocket launch method, with vertical takeoff and powered descent.
Altitude Achieved
- VSS Unity: Reaches approximately 86 kilometers (54 miles).
- New Shepard: Flies higher, reaching around 105 kilometers (65 miles).
Time Spent Weightless
Passengers aboard Virgin Galactic’s VSS Unity experienced about four minutes of weightlessness during its July 11 flight. New Shepard passengers, on the other hand, are expected to experience around three minutes of weightlessness.
Where Does Space Begin?
The definition of space varies:
- NASA and U.S. military: Space begins at 80 kilometers (50 miles) above Earth.
- International Standards: The Fédération Aéronautique Internationale (FAI) sets the Kármán Line at 100 kilometers (62 miles).
Virgin Galactic’s flight crossed NASA’s 80-kilometer threshold, qualifying as space by that measure. However, Blue Origin highlighted that VSS Unity didn’t reach the Kármán Line, which New Shepard surpasses.
Launch Sites
- VSS Unity: Launches from Spaceport America in Truth or Consequences, New Mexico.
- New Shepard: Takes off from Blue Origin’s private facility in West Texas.
Crew and Training
- VSS Unity: Includes two pilots and six passengers.
- New Shepard: Operates without a pilot and carries six passengers.
Training times are brief. Virgin Galactic requires three days of preparation, while Blue Origin asks for four days.
Cost of Tickets
- VSS Unity: Seats are priced at $250,000 each.
- New Shepard: The first ticket was auctioned for $28 million. Notably, some passengers, like aviation pioneer Wally Funk, have been invited as honored guests.
Science Payloads
- Virgin Galactic: During its July 11 flight, the spacecraft carried NASA-sponsored plant samples to study the effects of microgravity.
- Blue Origin: While its first fully crewed flight didn’t focus on science payloads, earlier test flights have included experiments.
Paving the Way for Space Tourism
Both Virgin Galactic and Blue Origin aim to democratize space travel, albeit at a high price point for now. While their approaches differ — with Virgin Galactic embracing a spaceplane model and Blue Origin sticking to a rocket-powered design — both are shaping the future of suborbital exploration.
As these companies continue their missions, they’re not only competing to redefine the boundaries of space tourism but also inspiring a new era of civilian spaceflight.
