In a historic moment for space tourism, an 80-year-old British former Olympian, Anastatia Mayers, a determined Aberdeen student, and her adventurous mother, Keisha Schahaff, took flight on a rocket plane from New Mexico. This extraordinary journey was made possible thanks to a competition that granted them the coveted tickets to join the Virgin Galactic flight.

Alongside them, Jon Goodwin, who hails from Newcastle-under-Lyme and is living with Parkinson's disease, also became part of this remarkable crew, becoming the second person with the condition to venture into space.

The launch of Virgin Galactic's second commercial flight marked another pivotal test for the rapidly growing space tourism industry. The Unity rocket plane, carried by the carrier jet Eve, ascended to an impressive altitude of 279,000 feet (85 kilometers) above Earth.

This mission not only provided a joyous adventure for the passengers but also pushed the boundaries of space tourism. While the thrill of space travel is immeasurable, the price for a seat on a Virgin Galactic flight has been as high as $450,000.

Jon Goodwin, who secured his ticket for $250,000 back in 2005, aimed to prove that his Parkinson's diagnosis doesn't define him. His courageous journey aims to inspire others to chase their dreams and break down barriers. Anastatia Mayers, at a young age, will become the second-youngest person to voyage beyond our atmosphere.

Her hope is to shatter barriers and inspire others to challenge the limitations imposed upon them. "My intention is to just break any barriers that we set for ourselves or that the world sets for us," she declared. As the Unity rocket plane reached the edge of space, passengers experienced moments of weightlessness, giving them a glimpse of what life in zero gravity might feel like.

Though the spaceship didn't achieve a full orbit, the experience was undoubtedly life-changing for all those on board. This journey marks the beginning of a long-awaited adventure for hundreds of ticket-holders who have eagerly anticipated their turn to take flight on the Unity rocket.

While it exemplifies human innovation and aspiration, it's important to note that Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos' space company, Blue Origin, recently won the race to take paying passengers into space. While the environmental impact and exclusivity of space tourism are subjects of scrutiny, there is no denying that it represents a monumental leap forward in human exploration.

As the minutes tick down to this awe-inspiring flight, the world watches with bated breath, eager to witness history being made among the stars.