Virgin Galactic has so far sold over 50 tickets at $750,000 each for future suborbital tourist flights, taking over $50 million in bookings since March 2026 alone, the firm’s CEO, Michael Colglazier, told an earnings call.

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However, Colglazier said issues on the production line involving “hundreds of relatively small but important installation tasks” have pushed back testing and mean that the 60-to-90-minute, six-passenger trips to suborbital space will now not take place until February 2027.

After that though, the flight schedule is expected to ramp up to 10 flights a month by the end of the second quarter of the same year, when a second spaceship is due to come online.

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New Delta spacecraft

The two new Delta-class space vehicles will resemble the previous Unity iteration. The piloted craft will be carried to an altitude of around 15 km by a mothership before being released and using their own rocket engines to reach the edge of space. They will then return independently to Virgin Galactic’s hub, Spaceport America in New Mexico, where they will make an unpowered landing.

Despite the ongoing delays experienced by Virgin Galactic, the firm has so far flown at least 23 private passengers and tourists, out of a total of 32 people, into space on various crewed suborbital missions. However, operations aboard the VSS Unity spaceplane were suspended in 2024 to allow the company to focus on the higher-capacity Delta-class spacecraft.

The firm has been selling tickets in different priced tranches over time, with the latest price point per seat of $750,000 now sold out, Colglazier said, confirming that “we plan to open a new tranche of spaceflight expeditions this fall at higher price points.” In total, over 650 future astronauts currently hold reservations.

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Virgin Galactic targets positive cash flow

Virgin Galactic lost nearly $56 million in the second quarter of 2026, but chief financial officer Doug Ahrens is forecasting positive quarterly cash flow by 2027, thanks to the Delta programme’s targeted rate of 10 flights a month, which he said would be an “unprecedented achievement in human spaceflight.”

Ahrens emphasised on the earnings call that “Each new spaceship has the potential to generate over $1.4 billion of lifetime contribution margin.” And since rival Blue Origin has grounded its own New Shepard programme for two years to allow the Bezos-owned firm to focus on its lunar ambitions, Virgin Galactic is, for the moment, the sole player left in the potentially lucrative space tourism market.

L’article Virgin Galactic postpones space tourism flights until 2027 est apparu en premier sur Travel Tomorrow.

For many people in regions in the path of totality, 2026 gave them their first-ever glimpse of a total eclipse. Iceland, where around 80,000 stargazers are reported to have travelled this time, had not experienced a total eclipse since 1954 and will not witness one again in those viewers’ lifetimes, with the next scheduled for 2196.

In Spain, which was expecting up to six million eclipse arrivals thanks to the promise of clear skies and good views, it was the first total eclipse for 121 years.

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But in 2027, an eclipse is to come that will eclipse all that. At the start of August, the longest total solar eclipse of the century will sweep over Spain, North Africa and the Middle East, creating six and a half minutes of wonder in locations as iconic as Egypt’s Valley of the Kings.

Alongside Egypt, countries and territories in the path of totality include Algeria, Gibraltar, Libya, Morocco, Saudi Arabia, Somalia, Spain, Tunisia and Yemen, as well as parts of the Atlantic and Indian oceans, meaning that uncanny eclipse darkness will fall on destinations including Cádiz, Tangier, Luxor and Jeddah.

Eclipse-related bookings are likely to soar again, especially in places already known as tourist magnets, like Marbella, which will see nearly three and a half minutes of totality. Brits and European’s wishing to stick to the region may also flock to Gibraltar, where totality will stretch as long as four minutes and 28 seconds.

The Italian Pelagian island of Lampedusa, accessible mainly by ferry or mainland air connections, is not out of the eclipse picture either, but, like Gibraltar, its infrastructure could struggle to cope with an influx of eclipse visitors.

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Morocco’s Tangier will get almost five minutes of totality. The Tunisian port of Sfax will go dark for two minutes and 56 seconds, and Saudi Arabia’s Jeddah and Mecca will both experience more than five minutes in the moon’s shadow.

But it is Egypt that is attracting the most attention. The Siwa Oasis is likely to offer reflections of the eclipse in stunning salt lakes and against dramatic desert backdrops, as will the otherworldly ancient ruins of Shali Fortress, with a full five minutes and 33 seconds to get the perfect shot. The Bahariya Oasis is another option.

Asyut is a more off-the-beaten-path city destination steeped in history, and religious and cultural heritage that will be plunged into darkness for just over six minutes. But, as a less touristy, more conservative area, it may be more suitable for more experienced travellers.

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Luxor’s eclipse, meanwhile, will last six minutes and 22 seconds, combining extended viewing time with probably zero cloud cover in the pharaohs’ ancient royal burial ground. Its monuments possess a “scale and grandeur” that cannot be matched by “anything in the world”, according to Lonely Planet, while the 2027 eclipse promises to add an out-of-this-world experience.

L’article Where to travel to see the “eclipse of the century” in 2027 est apparu en premier sur Travel Tomorrow.

Parts of the Arctic, Greenland, Iceland, Portugal, and Spain are about to stand witness to a spectacular natural phenomenon: a total solar eclipse. The eclipse will start in Reykjavik at around 4:47 pm and end somewhere between 8:27 pm and 8:35 pm in Spain. Other regions will not be able to benefit from a total eclipse but will still get a glimpse of the show.

The event has already led to a boost in arrivals in western Iceland as well as in northern and eastern Spain in particular, while special cruises and flights  have been organised to give people a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to experience the moon obscuring the sun.

Protect your gear

Many of those who are planning on seeing the spectacle have already gotten their hands on a pair of solar viewers, which according to NASA’s guidelines should conform to the ISO 12312-2 international standard for filters for direct observation of the Sun. However, as many of the observers are undoubtedly planning on taking some pictures, it is worth knowing that cameras too need solar protection.

“To take images when the Sun is partially eclipsed, you’ll need to use a special solar filter to protect your camera, just as you’ll need a pair of solar viewing glasses (also called eclipse glasses) to protect your eyes. However, at totality, when the Moon completely blocks the Sun, make sure to remove the filter so you can see the Sun’s outer atmosphere – the corona”, NASA writes.

Indeed, when pointing a (phone) camera directly at the Sun – even in the lead-up to a total eclipse – this can create permanent damage, especially when exposing the camera to the light for a longer period of time. The internal sensor could get damaged, leading to dead pixels or worse. When taking a picture with a phone, NASA recommends putting a solar viewer in front of the lens. When using a dedicated camera, one should buy a special ISO 12312-2 lens protector.

Know your camera

Whether you’re planning on using your phone or a super professional camera, the most important thing is to know how to handle it. Even the best quality gear won’t matter much if you don’t know exactly how to use it and how to manually handle the settings.

If you want to use a special camera tonight and you’re quite well-acquainted with it, don’t hesitate to play around with it a little during the day. If possible, go to the spot from where you’re planning on looking at the solar eclipse and try to find the appropriate angle, exposure, and so on. Better be safe than sorry.

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If you own a complicated (professional) camera but don’t know yet how to handle it, it might be a good idea to grab your phone instead. Nowadays, most phone cameras are able to take great quality pictures while being user-friendly as well. Even in this case, you might want to take a deep dive into the possibilities of your phone’s camera, from timer over exposure to wide-angle and everything in between.

No matter the gear you’re opting to take with you, a tripod and a timer might come in handy to avoid blurry pictures when the luminosity is down.

Look away from the Sun

During a (total) solar eclipse, the Sun tends to be all we care about, and it is not difficult to see why. However, as most people will be concentrating their cameras on the eclipse itself, your best shot at taking an unforgettable eclipse picture might be looking elsewhere.

“The real pictures are going to be of the people around you pointing, gawking, and watching it. Those are going to be some great moments to capture to show the emotion of the whole thing,” NASA photographer Bill Ingalls recommends.

The beauty of the solar eclipse might be found everywhere during the natural phenomenon. The Sun reflected in the sea or a pond, the strange light shining through the trees in your backyard, or a little animal confused by the event: beauty lies everywhere, especially during such a unique natural wonder.

Don’t forget to enjoy the moment

We, humans, are increasingly looking at the world through our phones. Whether it is during a concert, a sports event, or a solar eclipse, the perfect picture or video seems to be more important than the real-life thing. Tonight of all nights, try to remember to enjoy the moment away from your phone or camera, as it might be a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.

L’article How to safely and successfully photograph a solar eclipse est apparu en premier sur Travel Tomorrow.

The hype isn’t without reason. Although two to five solar eclipses occur somewhere on Earth every year, this will be the biggest one in almost thirty years and the first total solar eclipse anywhere on the globe since 8 April 2024, when millions watched it sweep across Mexico, through 15 US states and on to eastern Canada.

This summer, it’s Europe’s turn.

Safety first

If you're getting ready to observe the total solar eclipse on 12 August, please follow safety rules:

use only certified eclipse glasses (ISO 12312-2)
do not look through devices without a special solar filter

Check out the safety list below!… pic.twitter.com/VMBQyTaJjE

— ESA Science (@esascience) August 8, 2026

The so-called path of totality, where the Moon completely covers the Sun, will stretch from Greenland and Iceland in the north to Portugal and Spain in the south. At its maximum, totality will last two minutes and 18 seconds. Spain has particular reason to prepare, as it will be the first total solar eclipse visible from the mainland in over a century.

Aside from a shortage of eclipse-viewing glasses, short-term rentals in Iceland and Spain have also been affected by the excitement surrounding the eclipse. As if a once-in-a-lifetime eclipse were not enough, it will also coincide with the Perseid meteor shower reaching its peak and a six-planet alignment before dawn. It’s a royal flush for stargazers and telescope enthusiasts.

However, the eclipse won’t be total everywhere. By the time it reaches Portugal and Spain, totality will “only” last around a minute.

Elsewhere, the sun will be 94% covered in Dublin and 83% in Oslo, and will be visible as far away as Montreal (18%) and New York (9%).

Scientists are no less excited than the wider public. While on a cruise ship in a Greenland fjord, eclipse mapmaker Michael Zeiler told The Independent that he hopes to capture any aurora forming in the north during totality, along with a solar outburst timed just right.

Total solar eclipses provide a unique opportunity to study the Sun, and on Aug. 12, we'll take to the skies to learn more.

NASA-funded teams will study the eclipse with a high-flying research jet and scientific balloons: https://t.co/ec9MqxTSAS pic.twitter.com/c0mIAC1szU

— NASA (@NASA) August 7, 2026

The European Space Agency (ESA) will provide live coverage from Spain, where NASA-supported university teams will launch over 60 high-altitude balloons. Carole Mundell, ESA’s Director of Science, described the event as being about more than just the eclipse itself. She described it as “an incredible alignment of heavenly bodies”, but also as a “very human moment” that connects us, with our feet on the ground, to the cosmos.

Belgium is not in the path of totality, as the Moon will cover “only” around 91% of the Sun. The eclipse will begin at around 7:18 pm., peek at approximately 8:13 pm., and end at around 9:05 pm.

According to Hans Coeckelberghs of the Royal Observatory of Belgium’s Planetarium, the eclipse will be particularly difficult to see from Brussels, as the sun will already be very low in the sky.

He suggests checking potential viewing spots a few days beforehand, at roughly the same time, to make sure the western horizon is visible.

Those who miss this eclipse can take comfort in the knowledge that an even bigger one will occur on 2 August 2027, lasting more than six minutes at its maximum as it sweeps from Spain across North Africa.

Whatever you do on Wednesday, make sure you have the right gear. Glasses should carry ISO 12312-2 certification; sunglasses, CDs and other DIY tricks will not suffice. “You only have two eyes; it’s not worth losing them”, Coeckelberghs warns.

L’article Europe prepares for its biggest solar eclipse in almost 30 years est apparu en premier sur Travel Tomorrow.

The phenomenon will be visible across parts of the Arctic, Greenland, Iceland, Portugal, and Spain. Eclipse chasers have driven up bookings and arrivals in western Iceland, northern and eastern Spain in particular, while others have reserved places on cruises and even special flights dedicated to giving some people a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to experience the moon obscuring the sun.

The period of totality will occur mid-afternoon about four hours before sunset in Iceland, beginning in Reykjavik at around 4:47 pm. In Spain, the celestial show begins at around 7:30 pm CEST, reaching a climax between 8:27 pm and 8:35 pm, and ending around 9:30 pm as the sun slips below the horizon.

The risks of directly staring at the sun are well-known and special spectacles and pin-hole protectors have long been marketed to protect viewers’ eyes. But hundreds of thousands of people are expected to try to capture the eclipse in photographs and videos too, and tech professionals are warning that this could have dangerous consequences.

Smartphones work like magnifying glasses, focusing light via the lens onto the camera sensor. Exposure to the sun for just minutes can cause phone cameras to overheat, and permanently damage the sensor photodiodes. While a quick snap may not cause an issue, aiming the camera at the sun without a filter for longer creates a higher risk of sensor failure and permanent pixel damage.

Remember, it's only safe to view an eclipse directly during totality. We've got several ways to safely view the eclipse, from specially-designed glasses to items in your own kitchen.
Catch up on all things eclipse, from safety measures to visibility maps: https://t.co/FrY9v85RNJ…

— NASA Goddard (@NASAGoddard) August 10, 2026

Solar filters are the answer, and the good news is that solar filters, at the NASA-recommended standard ISO 12312-2:2015, can be obtained cheaply by taping a piece of solar eclipse glasses over the camera lens so that it is completely covered. Bespoke filters can also be purchased for around €40 or less.

The key advice to remember is to record for only short bursts at a time, keep the filter in place throughout the eclipse, and never view the sun through your phone’s viewfinder or lens due to the way the light is concentrated, which can permanently damage your eyesight. Although the filter can be removed during totality, doing so creates risks as people rush to record the final phase of the eclipse.

Using a freestanding tripod is highly recommended to remove the temptation of glancing back and forth at your phone, which could mean missing the reality of the experience as well as potentially damaging your eyes. However, do not leave the phone exposed to the sun for long periods.

L’article Solar eclipse 2026: How to protect your phone and eyes from damage est apparu en premier sur Travel Tomorrow.

The eclipse, due to take place on 22 July 2028, will be the first total solar eclipse visible anywhere in New Zealand since 1965 and the first seen from the Dunedin area in more than 850 years. At 4:17 pm local time, the Moon will pass directly in front of the Sun, casting a shadow approximately 100 kilometres wide across parts of the South Island. Communities within the path of totality, including Queenstown and Dunedin, will experience 2 minutes and 51 seconds of daytime darkness. 

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Accommodation providers are already experiencing unprecedented demand. Dunedin Leisure Lodge has sold out its dedicated solar eclipse package, which includes complimentary eclipse-viewing glasses, while other hotels across the city are also reporting strong advance bookings. 

The event is expected to deliver a major boost to the local tourism economy. City officials estimate around 35,000 visitors will travel to Dunedin, home to approximately 130,000 residents, to witness the celestial phenomenon. According to the Dunedin Astronomical Society, the total number of eclipse visitors could be even higher, reaching around 50,000. 

Dr Ian Griffin, astronomer and director of Tūhura Otago Museum, highlighted the extraordinary rarity of the event. “The last one visible from Dunedin was in 1163, which was before humans reached New Zealand,” he said. “So we will be the first people in Dunedin ever to see a solar eclipse from this part of the world, which is quite exciting.” Griffin has been preparing for the eclipse since 2013, joking that he even chose his house because it offers a view of the event. 

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The path of totality begins in the Indian Ocean before crossing central Australia, passing north of Alice Springs and Sydney, then continuing across southern New Zealand through areas including Milford Sound, Queenstown, Central Otago and Dunedin. Dunedin will also be among the last major populated locations on Earth to experience totality before the Moon’s shadow moves out over the Pacific Ocean, making it one of the world’s premier viewing sites.

The eclipse will occur eight days after Matariki, the Māori New Year, creating what Dunedin officials describe as a unique opportunity to combine Indigenous cultural traditions with astronomy. The city is planning a night-sky festival beginning with Matariki and continuing through the eclipse celebrations.

The rush to secure accommodation reflects a growing trend in eclipse tourism. Similar surges in hotel and short-term rental demand have already been recorded ahead of the total solar eclipse crossing Spain and Iceland in August 2026, as travellers increasingly plan years in advance to witness one of nature’s rarest spectacles.

L’article New Zealand hotels sell out two years before rare 2028 total solar eclipse est apparu en premier sur Travel Tomorrow.

AlUla is already reputed for the over-100 UNESCO-recognised monumental rock-cut tombs carved into sandstone cliffs at Hegra. But now design studio Heatherwick is set to create one of the first Dark Sky Parks in the region, after winning an international design competition with a visitor centre, including a planetarium, restaurant, and rooftop deck, as well as a research hub, forming one of the world’s largest observatories.

The astrotourism mecca will be composed of tubular, shell-like forms, rough-clad to speak to the sandstone landscape. It’s not the first time Heatherwick has put forward a design that connotes the “big bang”—with radiating elements from a central core evoking the birth of the universe. Hopefully, this time, it will not fall apart like the 56-metre-tall “B of the Bang” public sculpture the designer imagined for Manchester to commemorate the 2002 Commonwealth Games, which had to be dismantled seven years later due to falling debris.

Construction in the world’s wildest places is always controversial, but Stuart Wood, executive partner and group leader at Heatherwick Studio, noted that: “Space observatories are often remote, sterile places – technical outposts that feel distant from the public,” and explained, “we saw an opportunity to dissolve those barriers and create a place where visitors can step inside the wonder of the cosmos: an environment that is both immersive and inspiring, standing alongside the most advanced science of our time.”

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The building’s tubes will boast shading devices to deal with daytime sunlight and preserve dark-sky visibility at night. Energy-efficient working windows will respond to changing desert weather and provide enviable vistas of the heavens and the earth all around.

Wood described the whole as inspired by the “dramatic spiralling geometries that shape both the solar system above us and the natural world around us. Three interlocking telescope-like formations reach skywards while remaining rooted in the desert landscape – embodying a dialogue between earth and universe.”

No opening date has been slated, but travellers are likely to be watching this space with anticipation. The wider masterplan holds a range of attractions aside from the on-site accommodation and stargazing lodge, including nearby hiking trails and remote pods. For now, there are no direct flights to AlUla International Airport from Europe, though domestic connections via Jeddah and Riyadh, as well as Gulf airports Doha and Dubai, are available.

L’article Futuristic Saudi Arabian astrotourism centre to attract dark sky enthusiasts to desert est apparu en premier sur Travel Tomorrow.

SpaceX has announced plans to send crypto billionaire Chun Wang on a flyby mission of Mars, roughly 225 million kilometres away. The 43-year-old revealed the mission during a live SpaceX webcast, confirming that he will serve as mission commander. 

The Chinese-born entrepreneur made his fortune after dropping out of university, by developing one of the country’s most successful Bitcoin mining pools. He hit the jackpot just before the Chinese government shut down all crypto activities in 2021.  

Starship will fly us to Mars. pic.twitter.com/3Zyx64ugpt

— Chun (@satofishi) May 21, 2026

This will not be his first ride with SpaceX. In April 2025, he funded and flew aboard the Fram2 mission – the first human spaceflight to orbit directly over Earth’s poles. Christopher Combs from the University of Texas described the mission as “a notch above a gimmick, but not exactly a groundbreaking milestone”.  

Before the Mars mission, Wang is also expected to join Dennis Tito, the 85-year-old investor who became the world’s first space tourist in 2001, on a private Moon mission. 

The Mars mission will take up to two years and will be much more challenging. Nevertheless, Wang insisted he was unconcerned, saying he could “stare at the map view on aeroplanes from take-off through to landing, so I think I’m going to enjoy the trip”. 

The rest of the crew has yet to be announced, and SpaceX has revealed little about the cost or timeline of the mission. 

For now, ambitions are deliberately restrained. Rather than promising colonies and Martian cities, Wang has framed the mission as a first symbolic step. 

“A lot of people are talking about how Mars will be like ‘We’re going to fly to Mars, we’re going to land on Mars, we’re going to build a city on Mars’. But let’s get this started with a flyby. It will light the fire. It will ignite the imagination, and it will build the momentum.” 

The project remains heavily dependent on SpaceX’s troubled Starship launch vehicle, which has suffered repeated technical setbacks. The company was forced to abandon another test launch of its upgraded spacecraft last week. 

Falcon Heavy will launch the Rosalind Franklin rover to Mars in late 2028 https://t.co/Dis4Y11v5U pic.twitter.com/ekR2r8uAJr

— SpaceX (@SpaceX) April 17, 2026

Wang, now a Maltese citizen living on the remote Norwegian Arctic archipelago of Svalbard, documents his globetrotting lifestyle extensively on X, where he once posted that “Mr Musk is my God”. 

His stated ambition is to visit every country in the world, an obsession that began after his grandfather returned home one day with a world map he had found on a walk. 

“What truly caught my eye was the empty space at the bottom of the map – the polar regions,” he told reporters last year. “From that moment on, I was fascinated by the mystery and excitement of these distant and unknown places.” 

Meanwhile, SpaceX itself continues its own astronomical ascent. The company is expected to reach a record valuation of $1.74 trillion when it goes public next month. 

Not everyone seems eager to see the Mars mission succeed, however. Social media reactions quickly turned cynical, with some users joking that “all the crypto billionaires” should be sent along. 

There is also a practical complication: Mars launch windows only open roughly every 26 months, when Earth and Mars align correctly in their orbits around the Sun. Miss the departure slot by even a few days, and the crew could find themselves waiting more than two years for another chance.

L’article SpaceX bets on crypto billionaire for first Mars flyby mission est apparu en premier sur Travel Tomorrow.

Starlink is a system of satellites designed to provide internet access from space. Instead of relying on cables in the ground, the network sends signals from satellites orbiting Earth down to small dishes on the surface. This makes it possible to connect areas that are far away or difficult to reach, such as rural regions or islands. The system can also be set up quickly, which has made it useful in emergencies and natural disasters. For isolated communities, this technology has improved access to communication, education, and services.

As of late 2025, there were already more than 9,000 Starlink satellites in orbit, with most of them actively working. Each satellite stays in space for around five years before being replaced. In the long term, the company hopes to expand the network to tens of thousands of satellites. There are proposals under review to increase that number dramatically, potentially reaching up to one million satellites in the near future. 

For travellers, the most visible impact is in the night sky itself. Starlink satellites orbit relatively close to Earth and can often be seen without special equipment. They sometimes appear as a line or “train” of lights moving together across the sky. In places known for their dark skies, these lights can disrupt the natural view that visitors travel long distances to experience. 

@spacex.vip Starlink satellite flies over the sky #spacex #starlink #elonmusk #space ♬ Cornfield Chase – Hans Zimmer

Stargazing tourism has grown in recent years, with many destinations promoting clear, unpolluted skies. People visit deserts, mountains, and protected parks to see the Milky Way and thousands of stars. However, studies suggest that with tens of thousands of satellites, a noticeable part of the night sky could be filled with artificial objects. In more extreme scenarios, scientists warn that satellites could even outnumber visible stars. This would change the experience of the night sky for travellers around the world.

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Astronomers are also raising concerns about the impact on scientific research. Organisations such as the International Astronomical Union have warned that large satellite constellations can interfere with observations. Bright satellites can leave streaks in telescope images, making it harder to study distant objects in space. Radio signals from satellites may also affect radio astronomy, which relies on very quiet frequencies to detect signals from the universe. These challenges are becoming more frequent as the number of satellites increases.

Beyond astronomy, there are environmental and safety questions. The growing number of satellites increases the risk of collisions in orbit, which could create debris and make space operations more dangerous. When satellites reach the end of their life, they burn up in the atmosphere. Scientists are studying whether this process could affect the atmosphere over time, especially as more satellites are launched and replaced. There are also concerns that increased brightness in the night sky could affect wildlife that depends on natural darkness.

Private companies are playing a larger role in the rapid growth of satellites than ever before, alongside national space agencies. Firms like Blue Origin are also developing new technologies and expanding access to space. At the same time, interest in space tourism is rising, with more people travelling to witness launches or even experience spaceflight. As activity in space increases, so does the number of objects orbiting Earth.

For now, the future of large satellite constellations is still being discussed. Proposals for major expansions are under review by regulators, and scientists are calling for more studies on their impact. Companies have started to test ways to reduce brightness, such as adding visors to satellites. The challenge will be finding a balance between improving global connectivity and protecting the night sky.

L’article Astronomers warn that satellites could soon outnumber stars in the night sky est apparu en premier sur Travel Tomorrow.

Four astronauts, Commander Reid Wiseman, pilot Victor Glover, mission specialist Christina Koch, and from the Canadian Space Agency, Jeremy Hansen, will be at the point of lunar fly-by at the time of publication, having left Earth at 6:35 pm ET on Wednesday 1 April 2026 for a record-breaking trip that will take them further than any human has ever gone from Earth.

The crew each represent a pioneering moment for human space travel: Glover became the first person of colour, Hansen the first non–US citizen, Koch the first woman, and Wiseman the oldest person to go beyond low Earth orbit and approach the Moon. NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman described them as “remarkable explorers” undertaking “a true test mission that will carry them farther and faster than any humans in a generation.” 

Crowds of onlookers and well-wishers estimated to number around 400,000 have filled hotels and RV sites, bringing approximately €10 million to the local economy. They gathered on Florida’s so-called Space Coast to witness the spectacle as the most powerful Space Launch System (SLS) ever deployed sent the astronauts on their way.

Meanwhile passengers on board a Southwest Airlines aircraft were treated to a view of the launch from the air, with a clip circulating online showing the spacecraft as a glowing ball rising quickly into the sky, trailed by a column of “smoke” made up of water vapour and boiling cryogenics.

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Videos taken from other vantage points on the commercial aircraft showed the rocket continuing its trajectory into orbit against a blue sky, while passengers can be heard exclaiming.

For Easter, the spacecraft’s pilot Glover sent a special message to everyone following the mission. “You guys are talking to us because we’re in a spaceship really far from Earth, but you’re on a spaceship called Earth that was created to give us a place to live in the universe,” he said. “Maybe the distance we are from you makes you think what we’re doing is special, but we’re the same distance from you. And I’m trying to tell you — just trust me — you are special.”

He continued with a moving call for unity: “In all of this emptiness — this is a whole bunch of nothing, this thing we call the universe — you have this oasis, this beautiful place that we get to exist together,” he said, of planet Earth. “I think, as we go into Easter Sunday, thinking about all the cultures all around the world, whether you celebrate it or not, whether you believe in God or not, this is an opportunity for us to remember where we are, who we are, and that we are the same thing, and that we’ve gotta get through this together.”

L’article Artemis II launch seen from plane window captures global attention est apparu en premier sur Travel Tomorrow.