The DNA of Spaceflight with Virgin Galactic

October 10 - Wings of Welcome

• 4pm - Arrival
  • Check in at Hotel Encanto and enjoy leisurely time
• 6pm - Wings of Welcome Reception
  • As the symbolic wings are pinned to your chest, you enter the next few days full of wonder and curiosity, eager to discover what it takes to reach the boundary of space - and the immense joy and awe it brings.

October 11 - The Enchanted Frontier of Space

• 7am - Breakfast
  • Breakfast at the Hotel Encanto at your leisure
• 10am - Optional Activities
  • Stroll the historic streets of Mesilla which began its life as a part of Mexico in the 1800s, enjoy a morning hike at the foot of the Organ mountains pine tree trail or tour a winery.
• 2pm - Welcome to Spaceport America
  • Enjoy a immersive tour and a local fair culinary experience as you meet the Virgin Galactic team and explore behind the hangar door of the Spaceport Operations, from the Astronaut Walkway to Mission Control.
• 6pm - The DNA of Exploration
  • As the sun sets, step into the hangar for an unforgettable evening filled with captivating stories of space and wonder, shared by explorers who have journeyed through and beyond the land of enchantment, and to the stars.
  • With special guests Andrés Ruzo, Dan Kinzer, Richard Garriott, Melanie Kirby, and Bertrand Piccard
• 9pm - Stargazing
  • Let the stillness and wonder of the cosmos inspire reflection, connection, and awe beneath one of the clearest night skies on Earth.

October 12 - Canvas of Sand, Celebration of Culture

• 7am - Breakfast
  • Breakfast at Hotel Encanto at your leisure
• 9:30am - White Sands National Park
  • Spend the final morning immersed in creativity and culture amid the radiant white sand dunes of White Sands National Park. Enjoy a celebration of nature in one of the most awe-inspiring landscapes on Earth.
    • White Sands Geology Hike with Andrés Ruzo
    • Biomimicry of the Dunes with Dan Kinzer
    • Art of the Sands
    • Yoga on the Dunes

Your ticket includes two nights' accommodation, the Wings of Welcome gathering, the Spaceport Experience, and White Sands National Park Morning Tour & Activities

Special Experience - Morning of October 11

Before the rest of the group departs for Spaceport America, you'll have a rare opportunity to preview the astronaut training experience. 

Gain insight into the journey Virgin Galactic astronauts undergo in the days leading up to their spaceflight–and step inside the state-of-the-art cabin trainer for a firsthand experience.

This experience includes a G-awareness flight with one of Virgin Galactic's elite test pilots. Take to the skies for a thrilling aerial tour of Spaceport America, experiencing the awe-inspiring landscape from above while enjoying an exhilarating flight that mirrors the sensations of Virgin Galactic spaceflight profile.

Please note that this experience is not included with the purchase of your ticket. If you are interested in this exclusive experience, reach out to Margaret at mferris@explorers.org for more information. Capacity is limited.