Virgin Galactic's $450K Space Tour Announcement Sparks Backlash Amid Tragic Titan Incident

In a classic case of distasteful timing, Richard Branson's Virgin Galactic faces intense criticism from the online community.

As VT reports, Branson's company recently revealed plans for its inaugural commercial space flight, which is set to take place on Thursday, just one week after the tragic news of the Titan submersible incident.

Virgin Galactic Announces $450,000 Space Travel

On Monday, Virgin Galactic announced the launch of the Galactic 01 mission, which will send three passengers from the Italian Air Force and National Research Council into space.

A team of five from Virgin Galactic will accompany them, including an astronaut instructor and four pilots. The 90-minute voyage, scheduled for June 29, aims to conduct suborbital science experiments and will be live-streamed for the world to witness.

To attract space enthusiasts and high-net-worth individuals, Virgin Galactic is promoting tickets for future space adventures at a whopping $450,000 per person, urging them to "reserve their place in history."

Unfortunate Timing?

However, the timing of the company's announcement has come under heavy fire on social media, especially due to the recent Titan submersible tragedy.

Virgin Galactic faced criticism on its official Instagram page after sharing a promotional video for the upcoming space flight.

Users questioned the decision to promote what some refer to as "extreme tourism," highlighting the dangers and high price tag associated with such ventures. "Did we not learn something?" one commenter notes.

The comments section was filled with disapproving remarks, with individuals labeling the announcement poorly timed and insensitive given the recent events.

CBC News also delved into extreme tourism, shedding light on the laws in place to protect passengers embarking on ventures like the Titan submersible or Virgin Galactic's commercial space flights.

They questioned the boundaries and legal limits that companies can push to offer potentially life-changing experiences to anyone with sufficient financial resources.

While there were individuals defending Virgin Galactic's upcoming trips, arguing that progress would be hindered without taking risks, there was an acknowledgment that lives lost in such ventures are regrettable and lessons should be learned.

The debate surrounding the ethics and safety of extreme tourism remains a topic of contention.

Daring and Dangerous Expeditions

It is worth noting that the Titan submersible incident wasn't the first time the space tourism industry faced scrutiny.

Virgin Galactic itself experienced a tragic event in 2014 when one crew member died during a test flight that ended in an explosion over the Mojave Desert.

Despite these incidents, wealthy individuals continue to seek out expensive and daring adventure trips. Critics argue that this type of escapade only caters to the elite.

At the time of writing, Virgin Galactic has not responded to requests for comment regarding the backlash it has faced over the timing of its commercial space flight announcement.

As the date of the flight approaches, it remains to be seen how this criticism will impact the company's reputation and future endeavors in the space tourism industry.

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