MANHASSET HILLS, NY — A Long Islander recently completed a lifelong dream — becoming an astronaut.
Irving Pergament took part in the final launch of Virgin Galactic Unity. The businessman first got into the air two decades ago as a Lear jet pilot.
“How can I do better than that?” he wondered.
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Once reading about sending private citizens into space, Pergament knew that would be his next challenge.
However, “when I mentioned it to my friends, they were looking at me like I came from space,” he laughed.
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The entire process took six years from trials and training. Despite being ready for liftoff, Pergament’s flight remained uncertain as it was the last one for the vehicle.
“I was hoping, praying that [it] was going to happen,” he said. “I was lucky.”
Pergament had family and friends at the New Mexico launch on June 8, which he estimates lasted approximately two hours.
“I was so, so excited,” he said. “I still can’t believe I did it.”
When he returned to Earth, Pergament started thinking about the next endeavor.
“Now after being in space, I think the moon is a good thing to dream about.”
Pergament admitted, it will remain a dream, as he would only make the journey as a younger man.
Watch the full “Patch Weekly Spotlight” with Pergament below.
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