<p>Billionaire entrepreneur Richard Branson took off for space aboard the Virgin Galactic vessel, which is the company's first fully-crewed spaceflight.</p>

<p>The carrier plane took off from Spaceport, New Mexico at around 8:40 am Mountain Time (1440 GMT) and will ascend for around an hour to an altitude of 50,000 feet (15 kilometers).</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">I have dreamt about this moment since I was a child, but going to space was more magical than I ever imagined <a href="https://t.co/Wyzj0nOBgX">https://t.co/Wyzj0nOBgX</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Unity22?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Unity22</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/virgingalactic?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@virgingalactic</a> <a href="https://t.co/grs7vHAzca">pic.twitter.com/grs7vHAzca</a></p>
— Richard Branson (@richardbranson) <a href="https://twitter.com/richardbranson/status/1414267119743782919?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 11, 2021</a></blockquote>
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<p>Calling it an 'experience of a lifetime', Richard Branson said through a live feed, "Congratulations to all our wonderful team at Virgin Galactic for 17 years of hard hard work to get us this far."</p>

<p><strong>Also read |<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/aim-for-stars-richard-bransons-journey-from-record-store-to-space-trip-397420">&nbsp;‘Aim for stars’: Richard Branson's journey from record store to space trip</a></strong></p>

<p>After that, the mothership will drop the rocket-powered spaceplane, VSS Unity. This spaceplane will ignite its engine and begin ascending at Mac 3 beyond 50 miles of altitude.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Take-off! The <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Unity22?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Unity22</a> crew including <a href="https://twitter.com/richardbranson?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@RichardBranson</a> leave Spaceport America, New Mexico for <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/VirginGalactic?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#VirginGalactic</a>’s first fully-crewed spaceflight. <a href="https://t.co/RxGYp90nu8">pic.twitter.com/RxGYp90nu8</a></p>
— Virgin Galactic (@virgingalactic) <a href="https://twitter.com/virgingalactic/status/1414243385141972993?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 11, 2021</a></blockquote>
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<p>As the altitude is achieved, the two pilots will cut off the engine for a few minutes and let the four other passengers unbuckle and experience being weightless. They will also be able to observe the Earth’s curvature through the 17 windows, at this point.</p>

<p>After few minutes of heave-like feeling, the pilots will set the course of the ship to re-enter the atmosphere.</p>

<p><strong>Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/richard-branson-virgin-galactic-spaceflight-where-to-watch-the-launch-live-397416">Richard Branson Virgin Galactic spaceflight: Where to watch the launch LIVE</a></strong></p>

<p>Branson, an entrepreneur known for his range of businesses and his adventurer spirit, said, "As a child, I wanted to go to space". He had been working on his dream since 2004 when he founded Virgin Galactic. However, he feared an end to that dream when an internal issue caused the death of a pilot of a test flight.</p>

<p>In this flight, he is being accompanied by Dave Mackay, chief pilot, Michael Masucci, pilot, Sirisha Bandla, vice-president of government affairs and research operations, Colin Bennett, lead operations engineer, and Beth Moses, chief astronaut instructor.</p>

<p><strong>Have a look |<a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/in-pics-richard-branson-all-set-for-virgin-galactic-spaceflight-397340">&nbsp;Richard Branson all set for Virgin Galactic spaceflight</a></strong></p>

<p>After this initial flight, Virgin Galactic is planning two more such flights before starting 'spaceflights' on a regular basis from early 2022. Branson aims to conduct at least 400 flights to space every year. For his spacious programme, nearly 600 tickets have already been sold to people from 60 different countries. These tickets, ranging from $200,000 to $250,000 have been sold to several Hollywood celebrities too, who have not been named yet.</p>

<p>With a belief of 'space belongs to us all', Branson has promised that "when we return, I will announce something very exciting to give more people the chance to become an astronaut."</p>

<p>Branson's flight to space comes a little before&nbsp;Jeff Bezos, the ex-Amazon CEO, is set to embark on a similar trip with his brother.</p>


Billionaire entrepreneur Richard Branson took off for space aboard the Virgin Galactic vessel, which is the company's first fully-crewed spaceflight. The carrier plane took off from Spaceport, New Mexico at around 8:40 am Mountain Time (1440 GMT) and will ascend for around an hour to an altitude of 50,000 feet (15 kilometers).

Billionaire entrepreneur Richard Branson took off for space aboard the Virgin Galactic vessel, which is the company's first fully-crewed spaceflight. The carrier plane took off from Spaceport, New Mexico at around 8:40 am Mountain Time (1440 GMT) and will ascend for around an hour to an altitude of 50,000 feet (15 kilometers). I have dreamt about this moment since I was a child, but going to space was more magical than I ever imagined https://t.co/Wyzj0nOBgX #Unity22 @virgingalactic pic.twitter.com/grs7vHAzca — Richard Branson (@richardbranson) July 11, 2021 × Calling it an 'experience of a lifetime', Richard Branson said through a live feed, "Congratulations to all our wonderful team at Virgin Galactic for 17 years of hard hard work to get us this far." Also read | ‘Aim for stars’: Richard Branson's journey from record store to space trip After that, the mothership will drop the rocket-powered spaceplane, VSS Unity. This spaceplane will ignite its engine and begin ascending at Mac 3 beyond 50 miles of altitude. Take-off! The #Unity22 crew including @RichardBranson leave Spaceport America, New Mexico for #VirginGalactic’s first fully-crewed spaceflight. pic.twitter.com/RxGYp90nu8 — Virgin Galactic (@virgingalactic) July 11, 2021 × As the altitude is achieved, the two pilots will cut off the engine for a few minutes and let the four other passengers unbuckle and experience being weightless. They will also be able to observe the Earth’s curvature through the 17 windows, at this point. After few minutes of heave-like feeling, the pilots will set the course of the ship to re-enter the atmosphere. Also read | Richard Branson Virgin Galactic spaceflight: Where to watch the launch LIVE Branson, an entrepreneur known for his range of businesses and his adventurer spirit, said, "As a child, I wanted to go to space". He had been working on his dream since 2004 when he founded Virgin Galactic. However, he feared an end to that dream when an internal issue caused the death of a pilot of a test flight. In this flight, he is being accompanied by Dave Mackay, chief pilot, Michael Masucci, pilot, Sirisha Bandla, vice-president of government affairs and research operations, Colin Bennett, lead operations engineer, and Beth Moses, chief astronaut instructor. Have a look | Richard Branson all set for Virgin Galactic spaceflight After this initial flight, Virgin Galactic is planning two more such flights before starting 'spaceflights' on a regular basis from early 2022. Branson aims to conduct at least 400 flights to space every year. For his spacious programme, nearly 600 tickets have already been sold to people from 60 different countries. These tickets, ranging from $200,000 to $250,000 have been sold to several Hollywood celebrities too, who have not been named yet. With a belief of 'space belongs to us all', Branson has promised that "when we return, I will announce something very exciting to give more people the chance to become an astronaut." Branson's flight to space comes a little before Jeff Bezos, the ex-Amazon CEO, is set to embark on a similar trip with his brother.

WATCH| Richard Branson's spaceflight touches down after successful trip to space

<p>As the clock ticks and hour of Richard Branson's Virgin Galactic spaceflight launch draws nearer, the excitement is palpable around 70-year-old billionaire's travel to the edge of space. Branson has been one of the early pioneers who dreamt of commercial space travel when he founded his company Virgin Galactic in 2004.</p>

<p>Though at the time&nbsp;it was thought that commercial space travel would be normal with three to four years, it's&nbsp;better late than never as world looks on with bated breath 17 years after.</p>

<p>Although the exact time of the launch hasn't been made public, the reports suggest that the launch will take place at 1430 GMT. The launch is scheduled to take place from a spaceport in New Mexico.</p>

<p>Richard Branson will be aboard the space vehicle. Branson's official role is to evaluate the private astronaut experience to enhance the journey for future clients.&nbsp;</p>

<h2><strong>How will the launch take place</strong></h2>

<p>A massive carrier plane will take off from a horizontal runway, flown by two pilots, gaining altitude for about an hour.</p>

<p>Below this plane hangs the spaceship VSS Unity -- a SpaceShipTwo-class suborbital rocket-powered spaceplane -- with two more pilots and four passengers: Branson and three Virgin employees.</p>

<p>After climbing to 50,000 feet (15 kilometers), VSS Unity, which is about the size of a private jet, will be dropped and then ignite its rocket-powered engine to ascend at Mach 3 beyond the 50 miles (80 kilometers) of altitude considered the edge of space by US agencies.</p>

<p><strong>Also Read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/aim-for-stars-richard-bransons-journey-from-record-store-to-space-trip-397420">‘Aim for stars’: Richard Branson's journey from record store to space trip</a></strong></p>

<p>Once the rocket engine is cut off, passengers can unbuckle and experience a few minutes of weightlessness, while admiring the curvature of Earth from the ship's 17 windows.</p>

<p>After peaking at around 55 miles of altitude, the ship will re-enter the thick part of the atmosphere and glide back to the runway.</p>

<h2>How to watch the Virgin Galactic spaceflight launch LIVE</h2>

<p>The launch will livestreamed by the company. The live stream can be watched on the company's website (virginatlantic.com). The launch will also be live streamed on the company's Facebook, Twiter handles and Youtube channels.</p>

<p><em>(with inputs from agencies)</em></p>


As the clock ticks and hour of Richard Branson's Virgin Galactic spaceflight launch draws nearer, the excitement is palpable around 70-year-old billionaire's travel to the edge of space.

As the clock ticks and hour of Richard Branson's Virgin Galactic spaceflight launch draws nearer, the excitement is palpable around 70-year-old billionaire's travel to the edge of space. Branson has been one of the early pioneers who dreamt of commercial space travel when he founded his company Virgin Galactic in 2004. Though at the time it was thought that commercial space travel would be normal with three to four years, it's better late than never as world looks on with bated breath 17 years after. Although the exact time of the launch hasn't been made public, the reports suggest that the launch will take place at 1430 GMT. The launch is scheduled to take place from a spaceport in New Mexico. Richard Branson will be aboard the space vehicle. Branson's official role is to evaluate the private astronaut experience to enhance the journey for future clients. How will the launch take place A massive carrier plane will take off from a horizontal runway, flown by two pilots, gaining altitude for about an hour. Below this plane hangs the spaceship VSS Unity -- a SpaceShipTwo-class suborbital rocket-powered spaceplane -- with two more pilots and four passengers: Branson and three Virgin employees. After climbing to 50,000 feet (15 kilometers), VSS Unity, which is about the size of a private jet, will be dropped and then ignite its rocket-powered engine to ascend at Mach 3 beyond the 50 miles (80 kilometers) of altitude considered the edge of space by US agencies. Also Read | ‘Aim for stars’: Richard Branson's journey from record store to space trip Once the rocket engine is cut off, passengers can unbuckle and experience a few minutes of weightlessness, while admiring the curvature of Earth from the ship's 17 windows. After peaking at around 55 miles of altitude, the ship will re-enter the thick part of the atmosphere and glide back to the runway. How to watch the Virgin Galactic spaceflight launch LIVE The launch will livestreamed by the company. The live stream can be watched on the company's website (virginatlantic.com). The launch will also be live streamed on the company's Facebook, Twiter handles and Youtube channels. (with inputs from agencies)

Richard Branson Virgin Galactic spaceflight: Where to watch the launch LIVE

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WATCH| Richard Branson's spaceflight touches down after successful trip to space

Richard Branson Virgin Galactic spaceflight: Where to watch the launch LIVE