Oct 2, 2007 2:53 pm US/Eastern
Experience Space Without Leaving The Ground
SOUTHAMPTON, Pa. (CBS 3) ―
The Nastar Center in Southampton is taking on the final frontier and now you can to. Space Launch packages are available to anyone who wants to experience space without leaving the ground.
"For a few thousand dollars you get to ride on the machines and see if space travel is for you," said Alex Howerton of Nastar Center.
The idea came from Virgin Galactic, the first commercial space flight company that is now partnering with Nastar to help train passengers that will be heading into space.
Today it was Leslie Van Arsdall's turn. The five minute trip simulates three phases. The first phase is the launch. Lesley was told this was the hard part and would feel like a small child was sitting on your chest. This phase was followed by a period of weightlessness and finally reentry.
"We want to be able to provide a meaningful learning experience but one that can be enjoyable at the same time," said Dick Leland, President of Nastar Center.
But space travel is just part of Nastar which also trains military pilots and has contracts with the air force and navy. The company claims to be the only one of it's kind.
Howerton said, "This is the showcase and premiere facility and we are ready to build it all over the world."
While there are already a few people in training for Virgin Galactic flights the company will officially open it' s doors to the public on Thursday.
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