Virgin Galactic Announces Passengers for First Private Astronaut Flight

Virgin Galactic Holdings Inc. (SPCE) has unveiled the three passengers who will be on board its historic first flight to take private astronauts to space. The highly anticipated VSS Unity spacecraft will carry a diverse group of individuals, including 80-year-old Jon Goodwin, an early Virgin Galactic ticket holder and former Olympian.

A Journey of Inspiration and Firsts

Joining Goodwin on this extraordinary journey are Keisha Schahaff and Anastatia Mayers. The mother-and-daughter duo secured their seats through a draw that raised funds for the non-profit organization, Space for Humanity. Notably, Schahaff and Mayers will be the first ever mother-daughter pair to venture into space, as well as the first astronauts representing the Caribbean, as announced by Virgin Galactic.

Breaking Barriers and Defying Limitations

In an inspiring testament to the human spirit, Jon Goodwin, who bravely competed as a canoeist for Great Britain in the 1972 Munich Olympics, becomes the first Olympian with Parkinson's disease to venture beyond our planet. Virgin Galactic proudly acknowledges Goodwin's determination and resilience in the face of adversity. According to a statement from the company, Goodwin shared, "When I was diagnosed with Parkinson's in 2014, I was determined not to let it stand in the way of living life to the fullest. And now, for me to go to space with Parkinson's is completely magical. I hope this inspires all others facing adversity and shows them that challenges don't have to inhibit or stop them from pursuing their dreams."

A Momentous Milestone in Space Tourism

Virgin Galactic's much-anticipated Galactic 02 mission is scheduled for August 10th, marking the company's second commercial spaceflight and seventh overall spaceflight. In a previous mission, known as Galactic 01, the company successfully transported three esteemed members from the Italian air force and the National Research Council of Italy into space for microgravity research.

Stay tuned for more updates on this groundbreaking venture. Virgin Galactic's stock rose 1.1% in premarket trades on Monday, reflecting the growing excitement surrounding the company's monumental achievements in the realm of space exploration.