Yesterday I published a post revealing that you can use 2,000,000 Virgin America Flying Club points to circumvent the $250,000 cost of a seat on a Virgin Galactic suborbital flight to the edge of space. In researching that post I discovered an even better option for anyone wanting to get their space fix on. You can enter a drawing for a prize that lets you and a guest fly for free potentially while supporting an organization dedicated to creating a culture of worldwide interconnectedness through expanding civilian access to space.
The Prize
The winner will receive two seats, one for the winner and one for the winner’s guest, for a sub-orbital flight aboard Virgin’s SpaceShipTwo, pre-flight training, a tour of Virgin’s Spaceport America in Las Cruces, New Mexico, round-trip coach airfare, ground transportation and accommodations for the winner and guest.
The Drawing
It’s pretty simple. Interested persons buy entries in a drawing for two seats on one of Virgin Galactic’s first commercial flights. Sums collected go to Charities Aid Foundation America (“CAF America”), a US-registered, 501(c)(3) public charity. CAF America then transfers the donations, minus fees and costs for the trips, to Space for Humanity. The cost of the entries should qualify as a tax-deductible charitable contribution under the United States Tax Code. Enter the drawing here. Making a donation is not required to enter.
The Purpose
The aim of Space For Humanity is facilitating a sustainable future through increasing public access to space.
Space for Humanity’s mission is to expand access to space, train our leaders of tomorrow and contribute to a culture of interconnectedness. By sending citizens to space—as well as hosting conversations, events and launch parties—Space for Humanity will cultivate a global network of transformational leaders better equipped to create a sustainable future for us all.
People who have been to space are arguably better equipped to create a sustainable future because they experience the Earth as their home and humanity as their community. It is called the Overview Effect: the cognitive shift in awareness that occurs when a human being looks down on the Earth from space.

The Details
The entry period began on July 11, 2021 and ends August 31, 2021 at 11:59 p.m., Pacific Standard Time. The maximum number of entries per person is 6,000. If a U.S. resident wins, the winner will also receive an additional cash payment of 25% of the retail value of the prize ($510,000) to use to pay required U.S. income taxes. If the Winner is a resident of any other country, then the Grand Prize will be awarded, net of all taxes.
All of the official rules are found here.
Final Thoughts
This is the best option I’ve come across for regular folks to secure a trip to space. There is no, or minimal cost, you are supporting what appears to be a good cause, and you are under no obligation to actually take the flight if you win. I’ll make a donation with no expectation of winning. If by some miracle I actually won, I’ll need to do more investigation of the risks involved before actually accepting a spot onboard. It would absolutely awesome to have that decision to make.
seems like a great idea, and I found the Overview Effect quite interesting…
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This trip to space is an amazing prize and it would be even more amazing if you were the lucky winner! I must say this Space for Humanity Organization sounds like something out of a science fiction movie.
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Thanks Blanca! I’d go assuming no safety issues crop up. Space for Humanity has a very worthwhile purpose — basically getting leaders to understand how interconnected and interdependent we all are here on Earth. It will be tough to pull off, but good luck to ’em.
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I just hope The Space for Humanity succeeds and not only the leaders take conscience of this important message but also many other citizens of the world.
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What an incredible, once-in-a-lifetime kind of prize that would be to win! x
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It would be truly epic! I wonder of the winner will want to or be able to go.
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Wow how awesome is this Prize!
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You should give it a try. 😉
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Intrigued by the Space for Humanity organization.
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Space for Humanity has a noble goal – increasing awareness of our interconnectedness and need to preserve the planet. I wish them luck.
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well its a fair sort of prize isnt it? Im not sure…. oh who am I kidding, it would be awesome!
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Truly awesome!
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