Virgin Galactic Passengers May Just Miss Going into Space

DavidGilbert99 (2607235) writes "According to the customer contract those signing up for a $240,000 flight on Virgin Galactic's spaceship the company will bring you 'at least 50 miles' above sea level. The problem is that the internationally accepted boundary for outer space is 62 miles above sea level — known as the Karman Line. Virgin is trying to get around the issue by claiming it is using a definition of space used by NASA — in the 1960s."

Re:Does it really matter?

[Anonymous Coward]

Dude, for the amount of money paid, I would sure want the whole 62 miles, as well as being serviced orally by an angel.

Well, that's....

[Anonymous Coward]

Virgin is trying to get around the issue by claiming it is using a definition of space used by NASA — in the 1960s."

Well, that's gay. Before you think I'm a homophobe, I'm using a definition used in the 1960s.

Re:Does it really matter?

[CanHasDIY]

You can be weightless for about $150/hr for plane and pilot. Granted it won't be in more than about 20 second incriments, but my kid and his friends love it: "Daddy make the plane do the weightless thing again" alternates with 'are we there yet".

The looks you get when filing a parabolic flight plan must be priceless.

Re:Does it really matter?

[Ksevio]

Flight plans don't typically list the altitude for every point in the flight. ATC might have some questions though seeing the altitude on the radar if he's not flying VFR.

Re:Does it really matter?

[ArcadeMan]

For a dollar and a 240K resistor, I wouldn't expect much.