Kiwis spending millions to trek outer space

 Whether they’re keen on making history or ready to travel to new heights (literally), Kiwis are showing a definite interest in space travel, with more than NZ$1.8 million already forked out to join Virgin Galactic on the its world first commercial space service.

According to NZ agency group, House of travel, so far eight New Zealanders have secured their seat on the service, which will see would-be astronauts view the planets and the stars from above the Earth’s atmosphere, while feeling zero gravity. 

With the flight expected to take-off this year, House of Travel Botany Junction director Katrina Cole said tickets have been booked by Kiwis from all walks of life, with a common passion for space.

“They have all always thought they’d go to space at some point in their lifetimes,” she said.

Virgin Galactic is the world’s first commercial spaceline, and is owned by Sir Richard Branson and Abu Dhabi’s aabar Investments PJS.

The group recently completed its first rocket-powered flight of its space vehicle, SpaceShipTwo, which took a team to a maximum altitude of 55,000 feet.

Tickets for the first space-bound commercial flights cost over $234,000.

Sourced: etravelboackboardasia