The Finnish Astronaut

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Vesa Heilala has made reservation on Virgin Galactic flight into space. He will be the first Finn to go the space. The flight will last about 1h30min and will take the passengers up to 90 km (52 miles), some 5 minutes will be spent in zero gravity.

Why I want to go to space?

As a child I used to read Space Travel, a comic book, and follow Star Trek on TV. I received Lego Rocket as a Christmas present when I was 7 years old. I have seen the Star Wars movies, and then got an idea…. why not? Everybody has a dream. Some dream about having a nice summer cottage, others about a handsome sailing boat… My dream is to take this trip and soar into space. Through this website I will share my feelings and experiences along the way, and also some facts about the project.

Rocket-Uno Version 3 at Jätemäki, Helsinki, Finland July 3, 2018. Picture Eerik Lehto.

Vesa Heilala and Timothy Kopra at Heureka May 9th, 2017. I have met many astronauts in recent years.

What to expect in space?

I will experience the same as Richard Branson on his own space flight on July 11, 2021. Picture of Virgin Galatic.

Virgin Galactic

Virgin Galactic is a member of Virgin Group, which is owned by Sir Richard Branson. Branson is enthusiastic about avitation. He did fly to space 11.07.2021. Mr Branson has visited Finland several times.

Sir Richard Branson and Vesa Heilala October 17, 2011.

How my journey goes on?

My journey began in January 2010 when I paid the deposit for the trip. In the summer 2010, I negotiated a loan from my bank and paid the rest. For me, the total costs were EUR 151, 000 (200,000 US dollars). In the meantime, Virgin Galactic is doing all kinds of tests, which for me means just waiting. The first commercial flights may start in 2023. My turn to go to space is expected to take place a year after the first flights.

My flight number is less than 300. Virgin Galactic has sold about 600 tickets to space. There are three Finns who have booked the flight with Virgin Galactic (the population of Finland 5.5 million). There has been over 500 people in the space from 40 countries in 60 years. No Finns have been to space yet.

Spaceport America

I visited Spaceport America in October 17 th 2011, where the fligts are made. I saw there the ships and I met other future astronauts. It is amazing to be involved in this project and to be one of the first users for the ships.

Zero-G flight and G-forces

I travelled to USA in September 2013. During my visit I trained at the NASTAR-center. There was a centrifuge and I got used to G-forces. I also visited the rocket factory in California and I took Zero-G flight.

Picture before ZERO-G flight 27th September 2013.