Ashton Kutcher Headed to Space on Virgin Galactic
Ashton Kutcher could be one of the first people to see space on Virgin Galactic's commercial spaceflights.
Although the actor was the 500th person to purchase a ticket aboard the SpaceShipTwo- the world's only commercial spaceflight experience available- he could be one of the first to see the world from an astronaut's point of view, as the first passengers are selected at random.
Virgin Galactic is sponsored by Virgin CEO Sir Richard Bronson, and the billionaire confirmed on his blog that Kutcher would be headed to space soon.
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"I gave Ashton a quick call to congratulate and welcome him. He is as thrilled as we are at the prospect of being among the first to cross the final frontier (and back!) with us and to experience the magic of space for himself," wrote Branson.
Branson also tweeted out his excitement at having Ashton's celebrity status tied to his spaceflight program.
"Welcome on board @aplusk - @virgingalactic's 500th future astronaut! See you up in space Ashton?" wrote Branson, which was quickly retweeted by Kutcher himself.
Tickets for the Virgin Galactic costs about $200,000, which is the reason why there have only been 500 tickets sold since the inception of the project in 2007. Still, many others have taken an interest in becoming astronauts, according to Branson.
"Ashton is joining a fast expanding group of true pioneers who are on their way to a life changing experience and a place in the history books," he posted on his blog. "It's great to have him aboard."
Physicist Stephen Hawking has expressed his desire to ride the SpaceShipTwo past the atmosphere. Other celebrities rumored to be taking the trip include Russell Brand, Tom Hanks, Katy Perry, Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt.
"Dallas" star Victoria Principal also spoke out on her eventual spaceflight, comparing her status to that of Wilbur and Orville Wright, the brothers responsible for creating the airplane.
"I'm a passenger in something that's pioneering," the actress told People.com. "This will become to our great-grandchildren what Wilbur and Orville Wright were to you and me."
