×
GreekEnglish

×
  • Politics
  • Diaspora
  • World
  • Lifestyle
  • Travel
  • Culture
  • Sports
  • Cooking
Friday
02
Jan 2026
weather symbol
Athens 11°C
  • Home
  • Politics
  • Economy
  • World
  • Diaspora
  • Lifestyle
  • Travel
  • Culture
  • Sports
  • Mediterranean Cooking
  • Weather
Contact follow Protothema:
Powered by Cloudevo
> World

Will Richard Branson take a step back from his plans to conquer space?

The founder of Virgin at the tragedy site - "Future astronauts" are not intimidated by the crash

Newsroom November 1 04:34

Multimillionaire founder of Virgin had announced full of enthusiasm his plan to travel in space along with his children in the first flight of Virgin Galactic.

z14a

However, the ambitious plans of the intelligent businessman encounter major obstacles after the tragedy that occurred during the test flight of SpaceShipTwo around the Earth.

z14b

According to international agencies, the SpaceShipTwo crashed over the Mojave Desert of California, shortly after it detached from the vessel WhiteKnightTwo, which was transferring it to greater heights in order to start its flight.

z14d

z14e

The co-pilot died from the crash and the second pilot was seriously injured.

z14g

Initially the company talked of a “failure during flight” and later the founder of the company expressed his sorrow over the incident. “I am shocked and saddened by this tragic loss “he said and added that his thoughts are with the family of the pilot.

z14k

Immediately after the accident Richard Branson announced that he would go to California to meet with the team administering the program of Virgin Galactic, while the company’s website posted a message after the tragic incident, which said: “Space is tough, but worth it. We will stick together and will continue “.

z14l

At the same time federal expert investigators are expected to arrive at the crash to investigate the causes of the tragedy, which occurred 50 minutes after take-off.

z14n

Early estimates talk about a problem in fuel, while the representative of the company that manufactures the missile RocketMotorTwo that it had been tested on ground conditions and had passed all inspections.
“It’s a step back for those who would like to ride in space,” said the former director of the Space Policy of George Washington University, John Logkson.

z14p
Among the “future astronauts” are included Steven Hawking, Justin Bieber, Ashton Kutcher and Russell Brand, while about 700 are interested of “walking” around earth.

z14s

>Related articles

“We are ready for action”: Trump says the US will intervene if Iran violently suppresses protests

France: More than 1,000 cars burned on New Year’s Eve

Tragedy in Crans-Montana: Eyewitnesses describe the nightmare, one emergency exit a “death trap” (videos)

Despite the tragic incident one of the candidates does not seem to want to give up.

z14v

According to Associate press Ken Baxter has no intention of backing up and states certain that the flight will happen sooner or later. He said: “What happened is very sad but am ready to take off for space with Richard Branson”.

Ask me anything

Explore related questions

> More World

Follow en.protothema.gr on Google News and be the first to know all the news

See all the latest News from Greece and the World, the moment they happen, at en.protothema.gr

> Latest Stories

The 2026 economic package: Salary increases, tax reductions, who benefits

January 2, 2026

15-year-old Greek girl missing after tragedy at club in Crans-Montana

January 2, 2026

308,605 inactive students were removed from Greek universities

January 2, 2026

“We are ready for action”: Trump says the US will intervene if Iran violently suppresses protests

January 2, 2026

Critical decisions for the future of the farmers’ mobilizations

January 2, 2026

France: More than 1,000 cars burned on New Year’s Eve

January 2, 2026

The unknown attempt by the Germans to assassinate Stalin in September 1944

January 2, 2026

What changes in taxes and wages in 2026, who gains and who loses

January 2, 2026
All News

> Economy

The 2026 economic package: Salary increases, tax reductions, who benefits

The new year brings an extensive package of increases that mainly affects young workers, families with children, and the middle class – The new tax brackets, rental refunds, and 8+1 changes effective from January 1

January 2, 2026

What changes in taxes and wages in 2026, who gains and who loses

January 2, 2026

The legendary Warren Buffett handed over the reins of Berkshire Hathaway after six decades

January 1, 2026

Taxes of €735.5 million and social security contributions of more than €7.7 million were paid by Karelia in 2025

December 31, 2025

PPC: Stable prices in household tariffs in January despite the rise in wholesale prices

December 31, 2025
Homepage
PERSONAL DATA PROTECTION POLICY COOKIES POLICY TERM OF USE
Powered by Cloudevo
Copyright © 2026 Πρώτο Θέμα