Comments on: Space tourism weathers the economy http://www.newspacejournal.com/2009/04/15/space-tourism-weathers-the-economy/ Tracking the entrepreneurial space industry Fri, 10 Feb 2012 12:07:57 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: D. Messier http://www.newspacejournal.com/2009/04/15/space-tourism-weathers-the-economy/comment-page-1/#comment-392948 D. Messier Thu, 16 Apr 2009 02:11:42 +0000 http://www.personalspaceflight.info/?p=875#comment-392948 They're willing to put down deposits which, for many, are business investments that have benefits for the individuals (cache, networking opps, etc.). Not the same as paying for flights. My guess is that they would have sold more tickets if not for the sinking economy and if they could put forth flight dates to any degree of accuracy. Just getting WhiteKnightTwo flying has probably led to a spike of interest. But, as you say, the economic storm may pass by the time Virgin finally starts flying commercially. They’re willing to put down deposits which, for many, are business investments that have benefits for the individuals (cache, networking opps, etc.). Not the same as paying for flights.

My guess is that they would have sold more tickets if not for the sinking economy and if they could put forth flight dates to any degree of accuracy. Just getting WhiteKnightTwo flying has probably led to a spike of interest.

But, as you say, the economic storm may pass by the time Virgin finally starts flying commercially.

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