Sir Richard Branson, the billionaire founder of Virgin Galactic, recently shared an intriguing story about a surprise visit from Tesla and SpaceX CEO Elon Musk. According to Branson, Musk unexpectedly showed up at his home at 2 AM, just hours before Branson’s historic spaceflight aboard the Virgin Galactic VSS Unity in July 2021. The visit, which took place in Branson’s kitchen, highlighted the camaraderie and competitive spirit between the two pioneering entrepreneurs.
A Billionaire’s Midnight Surprise
Branson recounted that on the night before his suborbital flight, he was preparing for what would be a monumental moment in his life—the realization of a decades-long dream to travel to space. He went to bed early, aiming for a good night’s rest before liftoff. However, to his surprise, he was woken up in the middle of the night to find none other than Elon Musk casually waiting for him in his kitchen.
Branson described Musk’s unexpected appearance as both amusing and fitting, given Musk’s well-known eccentricities. The SpaceX CEO, dressed informally and barefoot, had come by to wish Branson good luck and offer his support. Musk even asked if there was anything he could do to help, a gesture that Branson found both humbling and motivating.
Friendly Rivalry in the Space Race
Branson’s Virgin Galactic and Musk’s SpaceX are two of the biggest players in the commercial space race. While SpaceX focuses on orbital flights and ambitious projects like Mars colonization, Virgin Galactic aims to make space tourism a reality for everyday people—at least those who can afford the steep ticket price. Despite their competing visions, Branson and Musk have maintained a friendly relationship, often speaking highly of each other in public.
Musk’s visit before Branson’s spaceflight demonstrated the mutual respect between the two billionaires. While Musk was not directly involved in Virgin Galactic’s mission, he showed his support by purchasing a ticket for a future Virgin Galactic flight, proving that despite leading SpaceX, he still believes in Branson’s vision of space tourism.
A Historic Spaceflight
Branson’s journey to space on July 11, 2021, was a major milestone in the privatization of space travel. He became the first billionaire to fly to space aboard a spacecraft developed by his own company, narrowly beating Jeff Bezos, who flew aboard Blue Origin’s New Shepard just nine days later. The VSS Unity flight lasted about 15 minutes, reaching an altitude of approximately 53 miles before safely returning to Earth.
After the flight, Branson reflected on the moment, describing it as one of the most extraordinary experiences of his life. He also praised Musk for his encouragement, acknowledging that the SpaceX CEO’s support meant a lot to him.
Musk’s Unpredictable Nature
Musk’s spontaneous visit to Branson’s home is just another example of his unpredictable and unconventional nature. Known for sleeping at Tesla factories and working around the clock, Musk has a history of making unannounced appearances in unexpected places. His 2 AM visit to Branson’s kitchen further solidified his reputation as a visionary who doesn’t operate on a typical schedule.
Conclusion
Richard Branson’s account of Elon Musk’s surprise visit adds a personal touch to the larger story of space exploration. While the space race is often seen as a competition among billionaires, moments like these show that mutual respect and support still exist among the industry’s biggest players. Branson’s flight was a historic achievement, and Musk’s unexpected presence the night before only made it more memorable.
