Meet SA’s first Space Agent

Virgin Galactic today announced the appointment of the country’s first Accredited Space Agent (ASA) – Vanessa Rothery ‚ at the South African Headquarters of its 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 Sir Richard Branson and over 500 other first-time space travellers from around the world.‚

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.

Virgin Galactic today announced that Vanessa Rothery is South Africa’s first Accredited Space Agent (ASA).

‚It’s important that people can find out about Virgin Galactic and book with a local expert so we are delighted that South Africans now have that option.’ Said Carolyn Wincer, Virgin Galactic Head of Travel and Tourism Development.

She added: ‚South Africans are well known for their spirit of adventure so it made sense for us to appoint travel consultants in South Africa who could bring this ultimate experience to their clients. Vanessa and the travel companies she will be working with embody the adventurous and entrepreneurial spirit needed to represent Virgin Galactic in this exciting new market of space tourism‚ .

Sir Richard Branson, Founder and Chairman of the Virgin Group 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.‚

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 Virgin Galactic and South Africa’s first Accredited Space Agent please visit www.virgingalactic.com.

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