Reader’s Digest UK – July 2019

the first 84 passengers to experience
a flight," explains the entrepreneur.
So what motivated him to sign up?
"I was never a space fanatic or a
thrill-seeker," ponders Upchurch.
"I love travel because it takes you
out of your comfort zone, opens
your mind, and helps you grow as
a person. Seeing things from a new
perspective is my motivation and
everyone who has been to space has
said it is life-changing."

There's another reason for
Upchurch's interest—his company,
Virtuoso, is an Accredited Space
Agent for Virgin Galactic's VSS
Enterprise—the commercial
spaceship which will whisk
passengers like Upchurch into space.
"The tickets cost a significant sum
of money, but we work in the luxury
sector and frequently sell exclusive-

use travel—private jets, island and

yachts—which command similar

price tags," points out Upchurch,

who believes ticket prices will

inevitably drop. "Virgin Galactic

has always had its eye on the goal

of making suborbital space travel

more egalitarian, and not something

reserved for only the super wealthy,"

adds Upchurch. "Once commercial

space flights begin operating on a

consistent schedule, efficiencies

will naturally occur, driving down

costs and ticket prices. The first

passengers will pave the way, and

the goal is that eventually it becomes

something more in reach for others."

So, watch this space—30-minute

flights from London to New York—

and potentially a holiday to Mars—

could become a reality much sooner

than we think. Just don't forget those

compression socks. n

READER’S DIGEST

JULY 2019 • 83

GHOSTLY GAGS

Why did the ghost go to the doctor? To get his boo-ster shot.

What do you call a haunted chicken? A poultry geist.

What did the monster eat after having his teeth fixed by the dentist?

His dentist.

Why are there fences around cemetaries? Because people are dying

to get in.

Why don't skeletons like parties? They have no body to dance with.

Why doesn't Dracula have any friends? Because he's a pain in the neck!

(^)
SOURCE: HELP! THE GRANDCHILDREN ARE COMING BY MIKE HASKING AND CLIVE WHICHELOW