UAE | Leisure
Ibrahim Sharaf to be first Emirati in space
Sharaf Group chairman, Ibrahim Sharaf could the very first Emirati to hit warp speed when he takes the inaugural Virgin Galactic space flight.
- Gulf News report
- Published: 00:00 May 2, 2007
- Sharaf is paying $200,000, for the zero-gravity trip which will take place sometime in 2009.
- Image Credit: Press release photo
Virgin Galactic announced on Wednesday that Sharaf Group chairman, Ibrahim Sharaf, has signed up for the inaugural Virgin Galactic space flight, which could make him the very first Emirati to hit warp speed.
Established by Sir Richard Branson's Virgin Group, Virgin Galactic, aims to develop space tourism with the eventual goal of making it accessible, and affordable, for almost everyone - something they hope to achieve by the end of the next decade.
Sharaf Travel, announced on Tuesday that they will be the UAE general sales agent for Virgin Galactic. Sharaf is paying $200,000, for the zero-gravity trip which will take place sometime in 2009.
The launch site will likely be in the southwestern United States, with each trip featuring three hours in space.
"I am very excited about going to space with Virgin Galactic, it's a once in a lifetime experience for me. Today, sub-orbital journeys represent the ultimate travel, if not, life experience," said Sharaf.
"I am confident with the leadership and vision of Sir Richard Branson and the Virgin Group's commitment to technology, innovation, safety and customer experience, that sub-orbital flights are just a stepping stone for what will come in the future. I'm so privileged to join with many others to be a part of creating space travel history."
Sharaf has visited the North Pole on two separate occasions, and in another of his extreme adventures he took a 24 day journey across Siberia.
On his trip to the final frontier Sharaf will be accompanied by a host of famous faces. First on the list are Sir Richard Branson and his children, Sam and Holly, whilst the other intrepid travelers include, Bryan Singer, Director of Superman returns and actress Victoria Principle.
Share this article
Popular in UAE
-
Have your say
Living in untidy homes
Do you think that people who live in untidy homes have bad character?
Latest news
- Khalifa congratulates Karzai on re-election
- Khalifa receives congratulatory call from Talabani
- Camel in RAK gives birth to twins
- Saif is appointed Emiratisation chief
- Pavement parking irks pedestrians
- Man jailed 3 years in fatal assault of colleague
- Murder: Mother gets stiffer sentence
- Traffic Prosecution adopts humanitarian step
- UAE starts administering H1N1 vaccines
- 'All-green' project to ease traffic flow
- Complaints against cab drivers decline
- Thalassaemia website 'will help educate youth'
- Dubai Police open centre to combat marine pollution
- Readers: Less water usage means less desalination
- No hike in water, electricity rates
Community Reports
-
Pavement parking irks pedestrians
Gulf News reader calls on authorities to step in and stop car owners from invading pathways meant for safe walking
-
Faded parking lines pose a problem
Motorists could be fined for parking incorrectly even though they can hardly see the boundaries in the designated areas
-
School buses block residential parking
Commercial vehicles taking up free parking facilities in Al Wuheida, inconveniencing residents in surrounding villas
-
Community report: Doing their bit for poor children
A group of students takes concrete action to raise funds for Dubai Cares
