Virgin Galactic space office opens in Dubai

Space tourism pioneer, Virgin Galactic has appointed Sharaf Travel as its ‘Accredited Space Office’ for the Middle East region, based in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.

“We are delighted to have been selected as the official Virgin Galactic Accredited Space Office for the Middle East,” said Mr Salah Sharaf, Chairman, Sharaf Travel.

Since the establishment of Sharaf Travel in 1991 the company has grown to encompass various facets of the tourism industry.

“We are at the forefront of travel, constantly introducing new ideas and innovations – our latest is space travel.” he said.

“To date the world has seen less than 500 astronauts, but with the launch of Virgin Galactic spaceflights, that will soon change. Virgin Galactic, together with expertise of Sharaf Travel in the Middle East market, is poised to turn the dream of going to space into a reality for many people. It’s a once in a lifetime experience.” said Mr Sharaf.

At US$200,000 per ticket, Virgin Galactic’s flights are a mere fraction of the US$20 million price tag associated with other commercial space tourism providers.

Virgin Galactic is a company established by Sir Richard Branson’s Virgin Group to undertake the challenge of developing space tourism for the consumer. By the end of the next decade, Virgin Galactic is planning to make it possible for almost anyone to visit the final frontier at an affordable price.

The first test flights are slated to take place at during 2008 and the first commercial flights are likely in 2009. Virgin Galactic will own and operate privately built spaceships, modeled on the history-making SpaceShipOne craft. These spaceships will allow affordable sub-orbital space tourism for the first time in mankind’s history.

Operating with the sole purpose of making space travel more affordable and accessible to people throughout the world, Virgin Galactic will re-invest revenues over the first few years back into the business, striving constantly to lower prices.