MAIDEN VOYAGE IN THE AIR
Experiential Expeditions Virgin Galactic reveals the experience-focused interiors of VSS Unity.
086
One of the defining hallmarks of the Virgin
material created by Under Armour, which also
brand over the past 50 years has been the use
developed the spacesuits, while seatback screens
of inspired and bold design to transform the
provide digital flight data to connect each
customer experience. It’s an ethos that has been
astronaut to the flight deck.
successfully applied across various sectors, from
SpaceShipTwo’s cabin is deliberately sized
health clubs to hotel rooms, and now, thanks to
to allow for an out-of-seat weightlessness
Virgin Galactic, spaceship cabins.
experience, so soft surfaces as well as intuitive
In a live-streamed event, the space travel
handholds allow astronauts to explore the cabin
company revealed the cabin interior of VSS
freely. Completing the scheme, multi-coloured
Unity, its SpaceshipTwo vehicle designed with
LED halos concealed within the 12 window
the astronaut experience in mind. The elegant
surrounds are programmed to subtly change
yet progressive scheme has been carefully
according to the stage of flight; at the pinnacle
planned for both safety and comfort, and features
of the experience, as the Earth comes into view
colours and textures selected to inspire a sense of
against the black sky of space, all lighting is
confidence from the moment astronauts board.
extinguished, bringing instant focus to the vista.
Individually sized seats are created using the
Virgin Galactic’s community of future
highest-grade aluminium and carbon-fibre
astronauts have always been clear that having
manufacturing techniques, while the importance
photos and videos of their spaceflight is of
of comfort to optimise performance is accentuated
paramount importance, so in true 21st century
by a pilot-controlled recline mechanism that
style, the output from 16 cabin cameras plus
positions astronauts to manage G-forces. The
those mounted externally will provide everything
seats are upholstered in a breathable 3D knit
from Instagram posts to personal movies.
