Virgin space cadets to earn stripes

[TAA Matt]

Virgin space cadets to earn stripes

Sunday Jan 14 16:37 AEDT

 

Australian travel agents recruited to sell Virgin Galactic's space flights will begin earning their space stripes on Monday.

 

The nine agents, mostly based in Sydney, will undergo sales training as part of Virgin Galactic's publicity for the flights which are being sold before the spaceships are even built.

 

Virgin Galactic says it has ordered five spaceships, with the first flight planned for 2008 carrying Virgin founder Richard Branson and his family

 

Once the spaceships are built, and they can take off from the spaceport, then six passengers who have completed a few days training can pay $US200,000 ($A256,000) for a two-hour sub-orbital flight.

 

"The cabin is large with many windows allowing passengers to experience the full wonder of the views," Virgin Galactic says.

 

Nine Australian travel agents were appointed official agents to Virgin Galactic after filling out application forms in an industry magazine.

 

The agents will undergo training on Monday to acquire "Accredited Space Agent" certificates before a cocktail party where they will be presented the certificates.

Source

 

NINE MSN AUSTRALIA