By Dan Murphy
British billionaire Richard Bramson came to Westchester last week to show off the “spacesuits” that passengers will take on their Virgin Galactic flights to outer space starting next spring. Bramson and his model-dancers showed off the spacesuits made by Under Armour, at iFLY, an indoor skydiving experience at Ridge Hill Yonkers.
The spacesuit will “help to optimize the effectiveness of astronaut preparation,” according to Virgin Galactic. Under Armour CEO Kevin Plank explained how the suits are made from eight different lightweight flight-grade fabrics, and technologies that will help manage temperature and moisture while in space.
The Under Armour-Virgin Galactic space gear includes a spacesuit, training suit, base layer, footwear and a special astronaut jacket. The spacesuits cannot be purchased by the public – only by those who spend $250,000 for the space flight. Six-hundred customers have already paid that price and await their trip.
The announcement brought out a large crowd of journalists and “future astronauts” who watched dancers flying in the simulated tubes at iFLY to show how the suits would wear in space and on the moon. Bramson put on a spacesuit and got into a tube, but did not fly.
Virgin Galactic has begun building Space Ship Two, the rocket-spaceplane that will transport customers away from mother earth. The first flight could be as early as next spring. Trips will take off from New Mexico, where Virgin Galactic is building its mission control station.
“Suits of the past were made to perform a task, while this suit is to enjoy and savor space on your own terms in a bespoke way,” said Virgin Galactic chief astronaut instructor Beth Moses. “The challenge was not to get too nitty-gritty and technical and to make sure the suit stays out of the way so people can savor their experience.”
Unlike older spacesuits, these suits are “ridiculously comfortable,” according to Bramson, who will be on the first Virgin Galactic flight The material used is from a special yarn that will help regulate body temperature. Branson added that he loves the personal details of the Under Armour flight suit, which includes a clear inside breast pocket to allow astronauts to carry pictures of loved ones over their hearts. Branson said he’ll be carrying photos of his children, grandchildren, wife, mother and father.
“I certainly won’t be bringing a camera or a phone,” he said. “I’ll just want to look out the window and take it all in.”
Only a few items, including space boots and T-shirts, will be sold to the public. The 2020 trips will begin with Space Ship Two, riding to 40,000 feet while attached to a mothership. The spaceship will then break off and take off into space
Customers will experience only a few minutes of weightlessness and take a look at planet Earth. The entire flight will take two hours. In addition to a T-shirt, if you can’t afford the $250,000 price tag for a flight aboard Virgin Galactic, try an indoor skydiving “flight” at iFLY-Ridge Hill.
Your iFLY experience, including check-in, orientation and flying, will last over an hour. Want more time in the air? You’ll have the option to purchase additional flights. It’s safe and fun for the whole family. The cost is $89.95 for two flights.
