Antiguan Mother and Daughter Take Short Flight into Space with Virgin Galactic
Antigua and Barbuda – A mother and daughter from Antigua and Barbuda in the Caribbean made history today as they embarked on a thrilling journey into space. Kisha Shaf and her 18-year-old daughter, Anna Myers, were chosen as the lucky winners of a lottery organized by space tourism company Virgin Galactic.
The flight, which took place at the “Virgin Galactic” spaceport in New Mexico, lasted only a few minutes but left a lasting impression on the participants. As the rocket plane reached an altitude of 88 km, Shaf and Myers, donning suits adorned with the flags of Scotland and Israel, released their seat belts and experienced weightlessness. Floating in the air for a few minutes, they enjoyed the mesmerizing views of the Earth from outer space.
“When I was two years old, I just looked up at the sky, thinking, ‘How can I get there?’ But being from the Caribbean, I didn’t see how such a thing would be possible,” expressed an elated Shaf. “The fact that I’m here, the first to travel to space from Antigua, shows that space is really becoming more accessible.”
The flight also marked an important milestone for Virgin Galactic. Founded by the British billionaire Richard Branson, the company has been working towards making space tourism a reality for years. Today’s successful mission further solidifies their commitment to opening up space travel to the public.
In addition to Shaf and Myers, the flight included former Olympic athlete John Goodwin, who competed as a canoeist in 1972. Goodwin, who has Parkinson’s disease, became the second person with the condition to venture into space.
The safe landing of the rocket plane at the airport in New Mexico marked the end of an awe-inspiring adventure for the participants. The flight showcased how space travel can transcend borders, bringing people from diverse backgrounds together in the pursuit of exploration.
As the world eagerly watches the developments in space tourism, more individuals are dreaming of embarking on their own space adventures. With companies like Virgin Galactic leading the way, it seems that the possibility of exploring the cosmos is becoming more attainable than ever before.
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