Virgin Galactic first South African Space Agent
- By Greg Rose -
- May 03, 2012
Virgin Galactic has announced the appointment of South Africa’s first Accredited Space Agent (ASA).
Vanessa Rothery was revealed as the country's first ASA at the South African headquarters of Virgin Galactic's sister company, Virgin Atlantic, in Johannesburg.
Stephen Attenborough, Virgin Galactic’s Commercial Director who was in South Africa for the launch said: “Virgin Galactic is on track to become the world’s first commercial spaceline and South Africans can now book their seats and join Virgin’s founder Richard Branson and over 500 other first-time space travellers from around the world.”
Richard Branson commented: “Virgin’s long-standing relationship with South Africa began in 1996 when Virgin Atlantic began flights between London and Johannesburg. I fell in love with this country the first time I visited and it has since become an important territory for the Virgin Group.
"I am delighted that we are now making it easier for South Africans to book their seat on Virgin Galactic and join other new Astronauts on an incredible journey into outer space."
Vanessa Rothery joins a group of just 140 ASAs from around the world, each handpicked by Virgin Galactic for their proven experience and innovation in the luxury travel sector as well as their passion for adventure and space travel. Rothery, a Johannesburg native who has already worked for Virgin in the region for a decade, recently completed an intensive training program with Virgin Galactic to give her the knowledge required to complete reservations for the world’s first private spaceline. She will be working with selected travel agency partners to make it easier for South Africans to reserve Virgin Galactic spaceflights.
The once-in-lifetime Virgin Galactic experience includes Astronaut training, ‘G force’ acclimatisation and a sensational sub-orbital spaceflight which will take passengers more than 100kms above the Earth’s surface to enjoy weightlessness and life-changing views. Virgin Galactic aims to make space travel more attainable to the general public and uses technology that overcomes the fundamental safety, cost and environmental issues currently associated with space access.
For more information on South Africa’s first Accredited Space Agent head over to Virgin Galactic.
By Greg Rose. Content Manager. Tweets @greglrose and blogs at greglrose.com
