Virgin Galactic Faces Backlash for Offering Commercial Space Flights Amidst Tragedy

Virgin Galactic's SpaceShipTwo space plane, designed for space tourism, can carry up to six passengers and two pilots. The inaugural commercial flight, Galactic 01, will have four passengers on board, including Virgin Galactic's Colin Bennett and three members from the Italian Air Force and National Research Council. The mission will take off from Spaceport America in New Mexico and provide a few minutes of weightlessness for the crew to perform research experiments before returning to Earth. The space plane features reclining seats and large windows for passengers to enjoy the views.