Comments on: Fare Alert! Price Drops for XCOR's Ticket to Space

By: Fabrizio

Fabrizio — Fri, 05 Dec 2008 14:21:40 +0000

Do they serve peanuts? how about the service on board?

Just a bit of humor guys!

By: Feenixx

Feenixx — Thu, 04 Dec 2008 10:05:08 +0000

Apologies, Frank Glover and all – I'll check things out next time before trusting my aging grey matter…

By: Frank Glover

Frank Glover — Wed, 03 Dec 2008 22:00:59 +0000

"The first American Space Flight was "suborbital" and reached an altitude of 187 km: Freedom 7, piloted by John Glenn, May 5th, 1961"

Sorry, that would be Alan Shepard. John was the first american to orbit, aboard Friendship 7, Feburary 20, 1962.

But I agree, I wouldn't really call it 'suborbital' until you break 100km, otherwise, ballistically catapulting a man from a 'cannon' could count. The Russians will already fly you on a pretty respectable trajectory (70,000 feet or so) on a MiG-25 or MiG-31.

And of course, you can go all the way to ISS for about 25million USD.

But having said *that,* as long as the passenger understands this, it's still a cool ride that's lower but cheaper than Virgin Galactic, but higher than the Russian fighters.

Like most other products and services, buy the best experience you want and/or can afford…

By: Feenixx

Feenixx — Wed, 03 Dec 2008 16:53:45 +0000

Kootster…
"suborbital" does not mean "not space"

for most of the World, "space" starts at the Kaman line – 100 km above sea level

for US institutions, space starts at 50 miles (ca. 80 km) – people flying higher than that qualify for "Astronaut Wings.

The first American Space Flight was "suborbital" and reached an altitude of 187 km: Freedom 7, piloted by John Glenn, May 5th, 1961

Virgin Galactic plans to offer space flights, reaching about 110 km altitude, but costing twice as much, or thereabouts.

But anyway, it's nothing sinister, really, just a bit of exaggerated advertising.

By: Kootstar

Kootstar — Wed, 03 Dec 2008 14:57:25 +0000

To you "space" questioners, the article repatedly refers to "suborbital". I don't see any problems with this type of reference. Space flight was begun with this type of flights and these commercial flights will eventually get on to the orbital levels as I see it. This will be a totally diferent experience than a jumbo jet flight from L. A. to Chicago won't it?

By: CasablancaMike

CasablancaMike — Wed, 03 Dec 2008 11:12:07 +0000

That is too funny! Wittily written, Nancy. Maybe the marketing arm should promote it as "sub-space" to avoid false advertising?!

By: Feenixx

Feenixx — Wed, 03 Dec 2008 10:24:47 +0000

Samo McGuire Says:
I thought 'space' doesn't officially start until 100Km above the surface?

Yes, that's what I was wondering all along while reading the article…. it's a rocket plane flight, really, like X15, and the likes… yes?

By: Assi

Assi — Wed, 03 Dec 2008 10:21:29 +0000

$95,000 USD, thats also expensive! wait for a couple of years, maybe 10 years. The price will be so much cheaper!

By: Samo McGuire

Samo McGuire — Wed, 03 Dec 2008 07:13:05 +0000

I thought 'space' doesn't officially start until 100Km above the surface?

By: KG6YRA

KG6YRA — Wed, 03 Dec 2008 06:23:24 +0000

XCOR is going to heat up the competition. More competition means lower price.

By: Astrofiend

Astrofiend — Wed, 03 Dec 2008 05:29:34 +0000

$95,000 USD? I'll take two.