Get All Access for $5/mo

Virgin Galactic Just Opened Space Flights to the Public. Here's How Much It Will Cost You. The space exploration company, founded by Richard Branson, began selling tickets for interested customers on Wednesday.

By Emily Rella

Richard Baker | Getty Images

Many have dreamed of a future where ordinary people (not just billionaires like Jeff Bezos and Richard Branson) can take a leisure trip to space.

Well, it looks like that future is now, thanks to an announcement from Virgin Galactic.

The space exploration company, which was founded by Richard Branson, began selling tickets into space on Wednesday for the casual price of $450,000 a pop. (Okay, maybe not exactly within budget for most ordinary people.)

The tickets will require a downpayment of $150,000 and a total of 1,000 will be sold for voyages that are set to take place later this year.

Related: Space Stocks to Buy in This New Era of "Paying Customers"

If the future space traveler (or space group — packages are available for multiple passengers, including buying the entire flight) decides to drop out before the big trip, Virgin Galactic will keep $25,000 of the payment.

The company, which prides itself as "the world's first commercial spaceline," will launch the flights out of New Mexico, with each trip lasting around 90 minutes in total for the six passengers per vehicle.

In preparation for the trip, customers will spend several days on the ground getting ready, participating in a training program to other "space preparedness activities." The best part? The future astronauts can bring three guests with them for the on-the-ground happenings and accommodations.

CNBC reported that stock in the space exploration company skyrocketed up to 32% upon the announcement, down just shy of 5% from the day prior as of early Wednesday afternoon.

Branson himself made the voyage into space last July onboard the company's Unity 22 spaceship.

"To all you kids out there — I was once a child with a dream, looking up to the stars," the billionaire said at the time. Now I'm an adult in a spaceship...If we can do this, just imagine what you can do."

Related: FAA Clears Virgin Galactic for Take Off

Emily Rella

Entrepreneur Staff

Senior News Writer

Emily Rella is a Senior News Writer at Entrepreneur.com. Previously, she was an editor at Verizon Media. Her coverage spans features, business, lifestyle, tech, entertainment, and lifestyle. She is a 2015 graduate of Boston College and a Ridgefield, CT native. Find her on Twitter at @EmilyKRella.

Want to be an Entrepreneur Leadership Network contributor? Apply now to join.

Side Hustle

The Side Hustle He Started in His College Apartment Turned Into a $70,000-a-Month Income Stream — Then Earned Nearly $2 Million Last Year

Kyle Morrand and his college roommates loved playing retro video games — and the pastime would help launch his career.

Science & Technology

Why We Shouldn't Fear AI in Education (and How to Use It Effectively)

Facing resistance to new technologies in the educational process is nothing new, and AI is no exception. Yet, this powerful tool is set to overcome these challenges and revolutionize education, preparing students and professionals for a future of unparalleled efficiency and personalized learning.

Business News

Apple's AI Has a Catch — And It Could Help Boost Sales

Not every iPhone owner will get to use the new Apple Intelligence.

Business News

Elon Musk Threatens to Ban Employees from Using Apple Products, Says Will Lock Devices in 'Cages'

The Tesla founder sounded off on X following Apple's 2024 Worldwide Developer Conference on Monday.

Business News

Y Combinator Helped Launch Reddit, Airbnb and Dropbox. Here's What I Learned From Its Free Startup School.

The famed startup accelerator offers a free course on building a business — and answers five pressing questions for founders.

Business Culture

You'll Always Have Anxious Employees if You Don't Follow These 4 Leadership Tactics

Creating a thriving workplace environment hinges on the commitment of company leaders to nurture and inspire their teams.