Would-be space tourists have applied to Virgin Galactic for refunds following last month's doomed test flight. <\/p>\n
Company chief executive George Whitesides said \"a few\" of its 800 customers have pulled out of taking part in a future mission into space. <\/p>\n
It comes after co-pilot Michael Alsbury died when the test flight aircraft crashed in the Mojave Desert in California on October 31. <\/p>\n
Surviving pilot Peter Siebold was said to be alert and speaking with family members and medical staff in hospital days after the fatal launch. <\/p>\n
Virgin Galactic, owned by Sir Richard Branson's Virgin Group and Aabar Investments PJS of Abu Dhabi, plans to fly passengers to altitudes more than 100km above Earth. <\/p>\n
In an interview with the Daily Telegraph, Whitesides said he wasn't surprised by the refund requests. <\/p>\n
\"I think what is relevant is that the vast majority have said 'Don't give up, keep going, we're with you',\" he said. <\/p>\n
\"So 97 per cent have been very supportive, but a few people have asked for a refund. <\/p>\n
\"My resolve is unshaken. I have always known that this would be a challenge.\" <\/p>\n
The company, which sells seats on each prospective journey for $US250,000 ($A270,500), has denied reports that it ignored safety warnings ahead of the test flight crash. <\/p>\n
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Read more here: <\/p>\n
Space tourists apply for refunds<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Would-be space tourists have applied to Virgin Galactic for refunds following last month's doomed test flight. Continue reading