The mission's success allowed the swashbuckling septuagenarian to one-up fellow tycoon JeffBezos – who owns space company Blue Origin and is set to launch on July 20 — in the race to the final frontier.
“I have dreamt of this moment since I was a kid, but honestly nothing could prepare you for the view of Earth from space,” Branson said, grinning during a post-flight ceremony where he and crewmates received their astronaut wings, before popping open the champagne to celebrate.
Branson, three fellow passengers and two pilots (all Virgin employees) breached the US-recognized boundary of space, reaching an altitude of 53.5 miles (86 kilometers) and experiencing weightlessness for a few minutes aboard the VSS Unity.
The spaceplane then lowered its wings and glided down to the ground at around 9:40 a.m. Mountain Time (1540 GMT), about an hour after it had taken off attached to the belly of a massive carrier plane, which ascended 10 miles (15 kilometers) before dropping its payload.
The rocket-powered Unity achieved a top speed of Mach 3 as it soared to space.
This story is from the July 13, 2021 edition of Manila Bulletin.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the July 13, 2021 edition of Manila Bulletin.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
Taking care of older persons is the collective concern of the citizenry
The International Day of Older Persons is observed on Oct. 1 each year.
Promoting safe driving in the new normal
Ford Driving Skills for Life
ON MANNY PACQUIAO - You're the greatest – Roach
From one legend to another.
NAT'L BASKETBALL ASSOCIATION - PAY CUTS FOR NO VAX PLAYERS
NBA poises crackdown on those who refuse to get vaccinated
Duterte renews commitment to infra dev't
With only months left in his term, President Duterte reassured the public that his administration remains committed to its promise of infrastructure development aimed at making the Philippines a progressive nation.
Sustain Our Teachers' Enthusiasm; Enable Young Learners To Hurdle The Learning Crisis
For 10 years now, the period from Sept. 5 to Oct. 5 of every year has been observed as National Teachers Month (NTM), by virtue of President Benigno S. Aquino III’s Proclamation No. 242. The observance culminates on Oct. 5 that, by virtue of Republic Act 10743, is observed as World Teachers Day (WTD) and National Teachers Day (NTD) pursuant to a UNESCO mandate.
Love knows no borders
Pangasinense couple weds at checkpoint
The Next Election Is No Waste Of Time
An appeal to the young who can influence the outcome of the upcoming elections
US Olympian Biles Says She Should've Quit Earlier
Gymnastics
Drones And Jets: China Shows Off New Air Power
ZHUHAI, China (AFP) — China on Tuesday showed off its increasingly sophisticated airpower including surveillance drones and jets able to jam hostile electronic equipment, with an eye on disputed territories from Taiwan to the South China Sea and rivalry with the United States.
