3…2…1…Virgin Galactic Lift Off
A few weeks ago I wired over my deposit to officially claim my “Pioneer” reservation spot of #53 on Virgin Galactic. Here are my welcome letters:
That actually makes me #153 because there are 100 fully paid “Founders” who each put in $200k to hold their spots. I actually got a little push from one of these founders, Loretta Hidalgo-Whitesides, who was my coach during the Zero G flight we did in Florida in January with the MasterMind members.
She got me hooked up with the Virgin Galactic group and told them I was serious about signing up. Missy had some big-time reservations about me going up (or more importantly coming down safely) and spending the money for this. I can’t control the safety part but I told her we’d do a promotion or create a product to pay for it. I was really on the fence about if I wanted to put up a $175k deposit as a Pioneer or just $20k and go after #1000. Well, I talked to my friend, Cindy Cashman, and she inspired me. Cindy and her new fiance, Mitch, are planning on being the first couple wedded in space on a different company other than Virgin. She’s such a fun person to talk to about this kind of stuff. (She told me about his idea for a space wedding before she even had a guy in her life) 
Since my marketing brain doesn’t turn off - I wanted to point out how Virgin does a real nice job of their first contact after the sale. Check out this unique package I get after my confirmation. The box is like 4 feet x 5 feet (disregard Zak’s books in the corner of pic).
And inside is a huge book filled with awe-inspiring photos of the space flight experience. It’s pretty cool. Actually it reminds me of 21st century version of Robert Ringer’s famous “Earth” business card/brochure he talked about in his best-seller “Winning Through Intimidation”. To give you an idea of the book size I placed one of my magazines next to it. This is an over-sized magazine so it gives you a little perspective.
On the front cover of the book is an intricate history of flight, aviation and space flight, almost making you feel like you are part of a legacy.
A little brief background in case you haven’t followed the story of Virgin Galactic…they’ve licensed the design of “SpaceShipOne” from Burt Rutan, who won the “Ansari X Prize” in 2004. The prize of $10,000,000.00 was for a spaceship to complete 2 flights within 2 weeks. If “Ansari” rings a bell with you it’s because Anousheh Ansari was the first female private citizen to go up in space. Hopefully, if all goes well, I should go up in the first year Virgin Galactic operates in 2009. Here’s a video that shows what the flight experience on Virgin will be like. I showed this on DVD to my Father-in-law and he gave me his typical reply to my trips, “You know something - you’re nuts!”. I’m sure lots of people agree but I’m incredibly excited.
As a Pioneer we are invited to special functions with other Virgin flyers and I’ll keep you guys posted on the events and what happens. As some of you know, Richard Branson, is really one of my biggest business heroes because of his sucess and the his sense of adventure.
It’s truly an amazing time we live in!
June 3rd, 2007 at 3:01 pm
Congrats!
Ever consider doing a contest with your fellow Internet Millionaires to see who can come up with the best info product about how the general public can save for their seats to orbit?
I’d be willing to run the contest idea past Dr. Diamandis, CEO of the X-Prize Foundation as an X-Prize for Marketing Space. I’ve been involved in space advocacy for about three decades, and my primary reason for becoming one of your affliates is to save for my seat to orbit. I’ve made it a point to get to know a large number of space advocates, from Buzz Aldrin to Loretta Whitesides (I interviewed her and George last weekend at the International Space Development Conference in Dallas).
If you’re interested, let me know. Meanwhile, feel free to check out my website.
June 3rd, 2007 at 4:46 pm
good for you man.
enjoy the view
peace
Koorosh
ps..take lost of pics to show us
June 4th, 2007 at 9:11 am
Yee Baby. Now THATS what I’m talking bout !!
re getting married in space : makes the mile high club look like missionary in bed stuff !!
Great read as always Yanik
June 4th, 2007 at 9:59 am
Yanik,
This should be an awesome experience! I did not see this one on your Big list? You have Fly to the Moon, though.
Can you count this as a marketing business trip and write it off?
As mentioned before take lots of photos to show us!
Jeff
www.neptunewaxmotor.com
June 4th, 2007 at 10:30 am
Jeff,
It’s on the big list - “fly into space” - it’s near the bottom and there’s already a link to Virgin Galactic.
-Yanik
June 4th, 2007 at 11:17 am
Yanik your nuts!! Hey but can i join you. LOL
Congrats man for going up in Space. You win the First Internet Marketer to go to Space Prize. haha..
Jose
“Rags to Riches”
June 4th, 2007 at 2:17 pm
Did you know that Space Adventures is developing plans with the Russians to offer a trip around the Moon aboard a Soyuz capsule sometime in the next few years for about $100,000,000?
We heard about this at the International Space Development Conference in Dallas last weekend from the horse’s mouth, so to speak. Meanwhile, check out the SSTO (Save for your Seat To Orbit) Project at www.save4yourseat2orbit.com/VFTTBlog.html. You’ll see lots more about what’s going on in space tourism. And, of course, I’ve linked back to this blog.
As for me, I not only want to ride into space, I want to build cities out there to live and work–and play–in.
June 5th, 2007 at 9:52 am
I truly approve this “sense of adventure”.. sounds great, Yanik.
Show us more photos like these.
Yanik, count me on in your next Cyberspace adventure.
To your success!
July 31st, 2007 at 1:43 am
Did you know you can buy a similar flight with Space Adventures for $102,000-almost half-price? I have! (flight reg#175.)
August 27th, 2007 at 7:30 am
Yanik,
Molodets! i umnitsa tozhe, naverno. I have always sensed your energy and inventiveness, but this takes the cake.
PS. As a grandfather of three, I think you will have some real catch up time to do with your older boy. My daughter sez that her husband tried to spend some extra time with the boy as the new baby took over the central spot. While she made a big deal about what a help he was, bringing diapers ,kleenex, whatever. Congratulations to you and Missy.