Space tourism company&nbsp;Virgin GalacticOrbit's LauncherOne rocket took seven satellites to orbit after being dropped mid-air from the underside of a modified Boeing 747 nicknamed Cosmic Girl.

The move presents an ideal opportunity for the company to flaunt its ambitions not only to send wealthy tourists on pleasure rides costing $200,000 or more, but also to advance science.

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Earlier,&nbsp;the US Federal Aviation Administration&nbsp;approved the first commercial license to take consumers to space for&nbsp;Virgin Galactic.

Virgin Galactic, founded by British billionaire Richard&nbsp;Branson, hopes to begin regular commercial suborbital flights in early 2022, with eventual plans for 400 trips a year.

The flights are far from the classic rocket experience, with a carrier plane taking off from a runway then dropping the spacecraft once in the air, which then ignites its engines.

The company is facing fierce competition in the field of private space exploration from&nbsp;Amazon.com founder Jeff Bezos' Blue Origin and Tesla Inc boss Elon Musk's SpaceX.

Branson, Bezos, and Musk have been investing billions of dollars on their rocket startups.

Virgin Galactic last month completed its first manned space flight from its new homeport in New Mexico in May, as its SpaceShipTwo craft with a capacity of six passengers glided to a landing on a runway safely with its two pilots.

Space tourism company Virgin GalacticOrbit's LauncherOne rocket took seven satellites to orbit after being dropped mid-air from the underside of a modified Boeing 747 nicknamed Cosmic Girl.

Space tourism company Virgin GalacticOrbit's LauncherOne rocket took seven satellites to orbit after being dropped mid-air from the underside of a modified Boeing 747 nicknamed Cosmic Girl. The move presents an ideal opportunity for the company to flaunt its ambitions not only to send wealthy tourists on pleasure rides costing $200,000 or more, but also to advance science. Earlier, the US Federal Aviation Administration approved the first commercial license to take consumers to space for Virgin Galactic. Virgin Galactic, founded by British billionaire Richard Branson, hopes to begin regular commercial suborbital flights in early 2022, with eventual plans for 400 trips a year. The flights are far from the classic rocket experience, with a carrier plane taking off from a runway then dropping the spacecraft once in the air, which then ignites its engines. The company is facing fierce competition in the field of private space exploration from Amazon.com founder Jeff Bezos' Blue Origin and Tesla Inc boss Elon Musk's SpaceX. Branson, Bezos, and Musk have been investing billions of dollars on their rocket startups. Virgin Galactic last month completed its first manned space flight from its new homeport in New Mexico in May, as its SpaceShipTwo craft with a capacity of six passengers glided to a landing on a runway safely with its two pilots.

Race to space: Virgin Orbit launches seven satellites in LauncherOne mission

Virgin Galactic’s space aircraft conducted the first&nbsp;of three tests which will enable&nbsp;the flight&nbsp;to enter commercial service. Sir Richard Branson’s Virgin Galactic has over 500 paying customers including famous movie actors and music personalities waiting for a ride on the "Unity".

The “Unity vehicle”, piloted by Dave Mackay and CJ Sturckow reached a height of 89 kilometres (55 miles) before flying back to Earth. But the rich and famous waiting for a ride will have to wait until Unity is full licensed. Experts believe the license will be processed by the end of 2021.

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Today’s view: Infinite. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Unity21?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Unity21</a> made a beautiful ascent to apogee over Spaceport America, New Mexico. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/VirginGalactic?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#VirginGalactic</a> <a href="https://t.co/jphjbMbSr2">pic.twitter.com/jphjbMbSr2</a>
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After Saturday’s sortie, the operational and performance data will be sent to the United States Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), which oversees the licensing process.&nbsp;

During the licensing process, the FAA is expected to assess an electronics interference issue due to which a previous flight attempt was aborted in December. Data from Saturday points towards course correction.

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Delighted to be on the flightline to watch <a href="https://twitter.com/virgingalactic?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@VirginGalactic</a>’s first human spaceflight from the majestic Spaceport America <a href="https://twitter.com/Spaceport_NM?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Spaceport_NM</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/UNITY21?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#UNITY21</a> <a href="https://t.co/FcpCxJcjqS">pic.twitter.com/FcpCxJcjqS</a>
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The aircraft flew high above the New Mexico desert on Saturday. During the mission, Unity was carried 13 kilometres (44,000 feet) higher by a “mother aircraft” called Eve. Soon after, it was released, allowing it to ignite its rocket motor.

Then, the vehicle raced towards the edge of space, managing to achieve speed levels thrice above Mach 3. This marked the sixth time Unity conducted a test flight during its five-year programme.&nbsp;

This one was different from other tests tests for it showed that the aircraft was able to leave its operational home - the hub known as “Spaceport America”. In the next flight, four employees of Virgin Galactic are expected to board the flight to experience the aircraft in action. Sir Branson, too, could soon be on one of the planes that offer a glimpse of space to its patrons.

"It was a beautifully elegant experience," BBC quoted Sir Richard as saying, who was watching all the action from the ground.

Virgin Galactic’s space aircraft conducted the first of three tests which will enable the flight to enter commercial service. Sir Richard Branson’s Virgin Galactic has over 500 paying customers including famous movie actors and music personalities waiting for a ride on the "Unity".

Virgin Galactic’s space aircraft conducted the first of three tests which will enable the flight to enter commercial service. Sir Richard Branson’s Virgin Galactic has over 500 paying customers including famous movie actors and music personalities waiting for a ride on the "Unity". The “Unity vehicle”, piloted by Dave Mackay and CJ Sturckow reached a height of 89 kilometres (55 miles) before flying back to Earth. But the rich and famous waiting for a ride will have to wait until Unity is full licensed. Experts believe the license will be processed by the end of 2021. Today’s view: Infinite. #Unity21 made a beautiful ascent to apogee over Spaceport America, New Mexico. #VirginGalactic pic.twitter.com/jphjbMbSr2 — Virgin Galactic (@virgingalactic) May 22, 2021 × After Saturday’s sortie, the operational and performance data will be sent to the United States Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), which oversees the licensing process. During the licensing process, the FAA is expected to assess an electronics interference issue due to which a previous flight attempt was aborted in December. Data from Saturday points towards course correction. Delighted to be on the flightline to watch @VirginGalactic’s first human spaceflight from the majestic Spaceport America @Spaceport_NM #UNITY21 pic.twitter.com/FcpCxJcjqS — Richard Branson (@richardbranson) May 22, 2021 × The aircraft flew high above the New Mexico desert on Saturday. During the mission, Unity was carried 13 kilometres (44,000 feet) higher by a “mother aircraft” called Eve. Soon after, it was released, allowing it to ignite its rocket motor. Then, the vehicle raced towards the edge of space, managing to achieve speed levels thrice above Mach 3. This marked the sixth time Unity conducted a test flight during its five-year programme. This one was different from other tests tests for it showed that the aircraft was able to leave its operational home - the hub known as “Spaceport America”. In the next flight, four employees of Virgin Galactic are expected to board the flight to experience the aircraft in action. Sir Branson, too, could soon be on one of the planes that offer a glimpse of space to its patrons. "It was a beautifully elegant experience," BBC quoted Sir Richard as saying, who was watching all the action from the ground.

Virgin Galactic's 'Unity' completes first spaceflight, moving closer to commercial service

The space tourism company reported an adjusted EBITDA loss of $55.9 million, down from a loss of $59.5 million in the previous quarter.

Virgin Galactic shares fall after another quarterly loss

Several hundred people have already booked their tickets and begun training for a spectacular voyage: a few minutes, or perhaps days, in the weightlessness of&nbsp;space.

The mainly wealthy first-time&nbsp;space&nbsp;travellers are getting ready to take part in one of several private missions which are preparing to launch.

The era of&nbsp;space&nbsp;tourism is on the horizon 60 years after Soviet cosmonaut Yuri Gagarin became the first person in&nbsp;space.

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Two companies, Virgin Galactic and Blue Origin, are building spacecraft capable of sending private clients on suborbital flights to the edge of&nbsp;space&nbsp;lasting several minutes.

Glenn King is the director of spaceflight training at the National Aerospace Training and Research Center, a private company based in Pennsylvania which has already trained nearly 400 future Virgin Galactic passengers for their trips.

"The oldest person I trained was 88 years old," King said.

The training programme lasts two days -- a morning of classroom instruction and tests in a centrifuge.

This involves putting the trainee in a single-seat cockpit at the end of a 25-foot-long (eight-metre-long) arm and spinning them around to simulate gravitational force, or G force.

A medical team is on hand at all times.

'Enjoy the view'&nbsp;

NASA's training for shuttle crew members lasted two years but the duration has been drastically reduced by the commercial&nbsp;space&nbsp;industry because of the "numbers of people that want to get up in&nbsp;space," King said.

"We can't take two years to train these people," he said. "We've got to get this down to a matter of days to get these people up.

"These people aren't crews, just strictly passengers," he noted.

"For a passenger, there isn't a lot of work for you to do other than just relax, endure the G forces of launch or reentry.

"And then once you're orbital, enjoy the view out the window."

King said the pass rate for the training course has been "99.9 percent."

The cost ranges from several thousand dollars to as much as $10,000 if special care or medical monitoring is needed.

The single biggest barrier to "spaceflight for all" remains the price tag.

Some 600 people have booked flights on Virgin Galactic, the company founded by British billionaire Richard Branson, and thousands more are on a waiting list.

The cost per flight? $200,000 to $250,000.

Virgin Galactic hopes to take its first private astronaut on a suborbital flight in early 2022, with eventual plans for 400 trips a year.

Blue Origin, owned by Amazon's Jeff Bezos, has not yet published prices or a calendar.

Money aside, pretty much anybody could go on a spaceflight.

"You don't have to be in perfect physical health now to be able to go to&nbsp;space," King said. "I've trained people with prosthetic devices. I've trained people with pacemakers.

"All kinds of people."

The US Federal Aviation Administration, which oversees the aviation industry, recommended in 2006 that future "commercial passengers" on suborbital flights fill out a "simple medical history questionnaire."&nbsp;

Orbital flights which go further and last longer would require a more detailed form and blood tests, X-rays and urine specimens.

Such flights, which cost millions of dollars each, are envisioned by SpaceX, the company founded by billionaire Elon Musk, which has at least four planned over the coming years.

'Inspiration4'&nbsp;

The first launch of only civilians, baptised "Inspiration4," is scheduled to take place in September.

The American billionaire Jared Isaacman has fully paid for a trip powered by a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket that will take him and three passengers on a three-day flight in low Earth orbit.

In January 2022, the company Axiom&nbsp;Space&nbsp;plans to send a former astronaut and three newcomers to the International&nbsp;Space&nbsp;Station.

It eventually plans trips to the ISS every six months.

Seven "space&nbsp;tourists" visited the&nbsp;space&nbsp;station between 2001 and 2009.

A company called&nbsp;Space&nbsp;Adventures served as the intermediary for those flights and has partnered with SpaceX to send four customers in orbit around the Earth next year.

A Japanese billionaire, Yusaku Maezawa, has reserved a flight on SpaceX's "Starship" in 2023 and is inviting eight other people to come along for the ride.

So when can we expect&nbsp;space&nbsp;tourism to become commonplace?

Difficult to say, said Robert Goehlich, an adjunct assistant professor at&nbsp;Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University Worldwide.

"Suborbital and orbital tourist flights are currently near to happen," Goehlich said. "The exact forecast is a challenge for each scenario.

"A new investor might accelerate any schedule," he said, "while an accident might decelerate any planning."

Three major factors will need to come together: flights will have to be safe, profitable and environmentally friendly.

"In the long run, thinking about a mass&nbsp;space&nbsp;tourism market, surely sustainability aspects will play a more dominant role," Goehlich said.

(With inputs from agencies)

Several hundred people have already booked their tickets and begun training for a spectacular voyage: a few minutes, or perhaps days, in the weightlessness of space.

Several hundred people have already booked their tickets and begun training for a spectacular voyage: a few minutes, or perhaps days, in the weightlessness of space. The mainly wealthy first-time space travellers are getting ready to take part in one of several private missions which are preparing to launch. The era of space tourism is on the horizon 60 years after Soviet cosmonaut Yuri Gagarin became the first person in space. Two companies, Virgin Galactic and Blue Origin, are building spacecraft capable of sending private clients on suborbital flights to the edge of space lasting several minutes. Glenn King is the director of spaceflight training at the National Aerospace Training and Research Center, a private company based in Pennsylvania which has already trained nearly 400 future Virgin Galactic passengers for their trips. "The oldest person I trained was 88 years old," King said. The training programme lasts two days -- a morning of classroom instruction and tests in a centrifuge. This involves putting the trainee in a single-seat cockpit at the end of a 25-foot-long (eight-metre-long) arm and spinning them around to simulate gravitational force, or G force. A medical team is on hand at all times. 'Enjoy the view' NASA's training for shuttle crew members lasted two years but the duration has been drastically reduced by the commercial space industry because of the "numbers of people that want to get up in space," King said. "We can't take two years to train these people," he said. "We've got to get this down to a matter of days to get these people up. "These people aren't crews, just strictly passengers," he noted. "For a passenger, there isn't a lot of work for you to do other than just relax, endure the G forces of launch or reentry. "And then once you're orbital, enjoy the view out the window." King said the pass rate for the training course has been "99.9 percent." The cost ranges from several thousand dollars to as much as $10,000 if special care or medical monitoring is needed. The single biggest barrier to "spaceflight for all" remains the price tag. Some 600 people have booked flights on Virgin Galactic, the company founded by British billionaire Richard Branson, and thousands more are on a waiting list. The cost per flight? $200,000 to $250,000. Virgin Galactic hopes to take its first private astronaut on a suborbital flight in early 2022, with eventual plans for 400 trips a year. Blue Origin, owned by Amazon's Jeff Bezos, has not yet published prices or a calendar. Money aside, pretty much anybody could go on a spaceflight. "You don't have to be in perfect physical health now to be able to go to space," King said. "I've trained people with prosthetic devices. I've trained people with pacemakers. "All kinds of people." The US Federal Aviation Administration, which oversees the aviation industry, recommended in 2006 that future "commercial passengers" on suborbital flights fill out a "simple medical history questionnaire." Orbital flights which go further and last longer would require a more detailed form and blood tests, X-rays and urine specimens. Such flights, which cost millions of dollars each, are envisioned by SpaceX, the company founded by billionaire Elon Musk, which has at least four planned over the coming years. 'Inspiration4' The first launch of only civilians, baptised "Inspiration4," is scheduled to take place in September. The American billionaire Jared Isaacman has fully paid for a trip powered by a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket that will take him and three passengers on a three-day flight in low Earth orbit. In January 2022, the company Axiom Space plans to send a former astronaut and three newcomers to the International Space Station. It eventually plans trips to the ISS every six months. Seven "space tourists" visited the space station between 2001 and 2009. A company called Space Adventures served as the intermediary for those flights and has partnered with SpaceX to send four customers in orbit around the Earth next year. A Japanese billionaire, Yusaku Maezawa, has reserved a flight on SpaceX's "Starship" in 2023 and is inviting eight other people to come along for the ride. So when can we expect space tourism to become commonplace? Difficult to say, said Robert Goehlich, an adjunct assistant professor at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University Worldwide. "Suborbital and orbital tourist flights are currently near to happen," Goehlich said. "The exact forecast is a challenge for each scenario. "A new investor might accelerate any schedule," he said, "while an accident might decelerate any planning." Three major factors will need to come together: flights will have to be safe, profitable and environmentally friendly. "In the long run, thinking about a mass space tourism market, surely sustainability aspects will play a more dominant role," Goehlich said. (With inputs from agencies)

All aboard! These companies are building spacecraft to send people to space

Al-Amal: UAE targets ambitious goals in first Arab mission to Mars

Going to space, and not taking a selfie, how can that happen? Virgin Galactic thought about it and made some additions to the new spaceship's cabin.

Now, each space traveller can float like a star with two paparazzi-like cameras capturing all the zero gravity action like a movie, shot in high-definition stills and video ready to be shared on social media once back on Earth.

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It not going to be like "Gravity" or "Interstellar" but it will go viral.

The six-seat cabin has become the chief selling point. It plays a role in various stages of the spaceflight especially when the space travellers get the first glimpse of Earth. Virgin Galactic is yet to begin its commercial services as&nbsp;testing continues at the company's operating base in the US.

Virgin Galactic's journey dates back to 2004. In 2014, the dream almost crashed like a meteor after a test pilot was killed during a flight in California. The tragedy led to a redesign.

Now, Virgin Galactic plans to fly five spaceships in the coming years and, there are many takers, so far as&nbsp;1,000 people have expressed interest.

It will cost them more than $250,000 per seat. They will experience 10 to 15 minutes of weightlessness. Once the 30-minute flight ends, the spaceship will glide back to Earth. The space tourists will return to reality welcomed by a glass or two of champagne.

Going to space, and not taking a selfie, how can that happen? Virgin Galactic thought about it and made some additions to the new spaceship's cabin. Now, each space traveller can float like a star with two paparazzi-like cameras capturing all the zero gravity action like a movie, shot in high-definition stills and video ready to be shared on social media once back on Earth.

Going to space, and not taking a selfie, how can that happen? Virgin Galactic thought about it and made some additions to the new spaceship's cabin. Now, each space traveller can float like a star with two paparazzi-like cameras capturing all the zero gravity action like a movie, shot in high-definition stills and video ready to be shared on social media once back on Earth. × It not going to be like "Gravity" or "Interstellar" but it will go viral. The six-seat cabin has become the chief selling point. It plays a role in various stages of the spaceflight especially when the space travellers get the first glimpse of Earth. Virgin Galactic is yet to begin its commercial services as testing continues at the company's operating base in the US. Virgin Galactic's journey dates back to 2004. In 2014, the dream almost crashed like a meteor after a test pilot was killed during a flight in California. The tragedy led to a redesign. Now, Virgin Galactic plans to fly five spaceships in the coming years and, there are many takers, so far as 1,000 people have expressed interest. It will cost them more than $250,000 per seat. They will experience 10 to 15 minutes of weightlessness. Once the 30-minute flight ends, the spaceship will glide back to Earth. The space tourists will return to reality welcomed by a glass or two of champagne.

Now, Virgin Galactic's new spaceship cabin allows you to take a selfie

Spaceflight for the common man is still a long time away. But, Virgin Galactic has given a sneak peek into how the trip to earth's orbit could feel like. WION's Palki Sharma tells you more.

Gravitas: Inside Virgin Galactic's SpaceShipTwo

Billionaire Richard Branson’s Virgin Galactic Holdings Inc said on Monday it has signed up with NASA to develop a program to promote private missions to the International Space Station, sending the shares of the company up more than 14 per cent.

As part of its agreement with the Johnson Space Center, the space tourism company will identify entities keen to buy private missions and develop training packages, as well as aid in transportation, on-orbit and ground resources. 
 
<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/nasa-postpones-mars-rover-perseverance-launch-to-july-20-305395">Also Read: NASA postpones Mars rover Perseverance launch to July 20.&nbsp;</a>

NASA is leaning heavily on private companies built around shared visions for space exploration, as it gears up for a long-term presence on the moon and prepares for a manned mission to Mars.

The space launch system, which is set to debut next year, is NASA’s ride for transporting humans from the Earth to the moon by 2024. 
 
<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/nasas-next-mars-rover-honours-healthcare-workers-battling-coronavirus-306846">Also Read: NASA's Next Mars rover honours healthcare workers battling coronavirus</a>

Shares of the company were up at $17.13 in premarket trading.

Billionaire Richard Branson’s Virgin Galactic Holdings Inc said on Monday it has signed up with NASA to develop a program to promote private missions to the International Space Station, sending the shares of the company up more than 14 per cent.

Billionaire Richard Branson’s Virgin Galactic Holdings Inc said on Monday it has signed up with NASA to develop a program to promote private missions to the International Space Station, sending the shares of the company up more than 14 per cent. As part of its agreement with the Johnson Space Center, the space tourism company will identify entities keen to buy private missions and develop training packages, as well as aid in transportation, on-orbit and ground resources. Also Read: NASA postpones Mars rover Perseverance launch to July 20. NASA is leaning heavily on private companies built around shared visions for space exploration, as it gears up for a long-term presence on the moon and prepares for a manned mission to Mars. The space launch system, which is set to debut next year, is NASA’s ride for transporting humans from the Earth to the moon by 2024. Also Read: NASA's Next Mars rover honours healthcare workers battling coronavirus Shares of the company were up at $17.13 in premarket trading.

Virgin Galactic, NASA to develop program for private missions to ISS

British billionaire Richard Branson plans to travel to space within the next four or five months aboard his own Virgin Galactic spaceship, he told AFP Thursday.&nbsp;

"My wish is to go up on the 50th anniversary of the moon landing, that's what we're working on," the head of the Virgin group said on the sidelines of an event to honor Virgin Galactic at the Air and Space Museum in Washington.&nbsp;

The American Apollo 11 mission landed on the moon July 20, 1969.

Virgin Galactic is one of two companies, along with Blue Origin, on its way to sending passengers into space -- though just barely, and just for a few minutes.&nbsp;

The companies want to send hundreds or thousands of people on these short "suborbital" flights, meaning they wouldn't get high enough to orbit the earth.&nbsp;

These missions would be shorter and more affordable than SpaceX's planned project to send a Japanese billionaire to the moon by 2023 at the earliest.&nbsp;

Virgin Galactic flew 50 miles (80 km) above the earth, which the US considers the edge of space, for the first time in December (the international consensus is 100 km).&nbsp;

Virgin Galactic's spaceship, called SpaceShipTwo, is commanded by two pilots.&nbsp;

To take off, it's dropped by a carrier plane like a bomb, then starts its own engine to jet off straight into the sky, eventually climbing high enough to see the curvature of the earth.&nbsp;

The craft hovers and descends naturally, gliding back towards its original departure point, Mojave Air and Space Port in California.

It will be able to carry six passengers along with its two pilots.&nbsp;

Branson has previously announced dates for this first trip into space, though they've always come and gone without the voyage happening.

But this time the businessman claims preparations are in their final stages.&nbsp;

"By July we should have done enough testing," he said.&nbsp;

But he doesn't want to make any promises he can't keep: "I need to wait for our team to say they're 100% happy. I don't want to push them," he said, but thinks they'll be ready for clients by the end of the year.&nbsp;

He told AFP Virgin Galactic costs him $35 million a month; previously, he said he had invested more than a billion dollars in the venture since the 2000s.

According to Branson, the SpaceShipTwo's next test flight is planned for February 20, depending on weather conditions.&nbsp;

British billionaire Richard Branson plans to travel to space within the next four or five months aboard his own Virgin Galactic spaceship, he told AFP Thursday. "My wish is to go up on the 50th anniversary of the moon landing, that's what we're working on," the head of the Virgin group said on the sidelines of an event to honor Virgin Galactic at the Air and Space Museum in Washington.

British billionaire Richard Branson plans to travel to space within the next four or five months aboard his own Virgin Galactic spaceship, he told AFP Thursday. "My wish is to go up on the 50th anniversary of the moon landing, that's what we're working on," the head of the Virgin group said on the sidelines of an event to honor Virgin Galactic at the Air and Space Museum in Washington. The American Apollo 11 mission landed on the moon July 20, 1969. Virgin Galactic is one of two companies, along with Blue Origin, on its way to sending passengers into space -- though just barely, and just for a few minutes. The companies want to send hundreds or thousands of people on these short "suborbital" flights, meaning they wouldn't get high enough to orbit the earth. These missions would be shorter and more affordable than SpaceX's planned project to send a Japanese billionaire to the moon by 2023 at the earliest. Virgin Galactic flew 50 miles (80 km) above the earth, which the US considers the edge of space, for the first time in December (the international consensus is 100 km). Virgin Galactic's spaceship, called SpaceShipTwo, is commanded by two pilots. To take off, it's dropped by a carrier plane like a bomb, then starts its own engine to jet off straight into the sky, eventually climbing high enough to see the curvature of the earth. The craft hovers and descends naturally, gliding back towards its original departure point, Mojave Air and Space Port in California. It will be able to carry six passengers along with its two pilots. Branson has previously announced dates for this first trip into space, though they've always come and gone without the voyage happening. But this time the businessman claims preparations are in their final stages. "By July we should have done enough testing," he said. But he doesn't want to make any promises he can't keep: "I need to wait for our team to say they're 100% happy. I don't want to push them," he said, but thinks they'll be ready for clients by the end of the year. He told AFP Virgin Galactic costs him $35 million a month; previously, he said he had invested more than a billion dollars in the venture since the 2000s. According to Branson, the SpaceShipTwo's next test flight is planned for February 20, depending on weather conditions.

Virgin Group's Richard Branson says he'll fly to space by July

Virgin Galactic's SpaceShipTwo reaches space for first time

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/virgin-galactics-saceshiptwo-takes-off-is-now-heading-for-space-183841">Virgin Galactic's SpaceShipTwo</a>, VSS Unity, flew higher than it ever has before on Thursday, surpassing what the US Air Force considers the boundary of space, and marking the first manned flight to space from US soil since 2011.

''Today really has been out of this world. It's a thumbs up for our astronauts,'' Richard Branson said.

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Today really has been out of this world. It's a thumbs up for our astronauts from <a href="https://twitter.com/richardbranson?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@richardbranson</a>! Read more about today's historic space flight here <a href="https://t.co/UfG2FhOaSh">https://t.co/UfG2FhOaSh</a> <a href="https://t.co/GYZXEUIHh9">pic.twitter.com/GYZXEUIHh9</a>
— Virgin Galactic (@virgingalactic) <a href="https://twitter.com/virgingalactic/status/1073394476771463168?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 14, 2018</a></blockquote>
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&nbsp;

<img alt="Virgin Galactic" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="9ef9a120-d577-45d3-a2e1-aeeb81c1086e" src="/sites/default/files/inline-images/Untitled%20design%20%284%29_0.jpg" />

The brief, suborbital flight -- with two pilots on board -- was a key milestone for the company headed by British tycoon Richard Branson, who is striving to send tourists to space at a cost of $250,000 per seat.

No spacecraft with people on board has taken off from US soil since the American space shuttle program ended, as scheduled, seven years ago.

"Today, for the first time in history, a crewed spaceship, built to carry private passengers, reached space," Branson said in a statement afterward.

"This is a momentous day and I could not be more proud of our teams who together have opened a new chapter of space exploration."

Virgin Galactic's spaceship did not launch on a rocket but took off attached to an airplane from Mojave, California.

Virgin Galactic's SpaceShipTwo, VSS Unity, flew higher than it ever has before on Thursday, surpassing what the US Air Force considers the boundary of space, and marking the first manned flight to space from US soil since 2011.

Virgin Galactic's SpaceShipTwo, VSS Unity, flew higher than it ever has before on Thursday, surpassing what the US Air Force considers the boundary of space, and marking the first manned flight to space from US soil since 2011. ''Today really has been out of this world. It's a thumbs up for our astronauts,'' Richard Branson said. Today really has been out of this world. It's a thumbs up for our astronauts from @richardbranson! Read more about today's historic space flight here https://t.co/UfG2FhOaSh pic.twitter.com/GYZXEUIHh9 — Virgin Galactic (@virgingalactic) December 14, 2018 × The brief, suborbital flight -- with two pilots on board -- was a key milestone for the company headed by British tycoon Richard Branson, who is striving to send tourists to space at a cost of $250,000 per seat. No spacecraft with people on board has taken off from US soil since the American space shuttle program ended, as scheduled, seven years ago. "Today, for the first time in history, a crewed spaceship, built to carry private passengers, reached space," Branson said in a statement afterward. "This is a momentous day and I could not be more proud of our teams who together have opened a new chapter of space exploration." Virgin Galactic's spaceship did not launch on a rocket but took off attached to an airplane from Mojave, California.

Thumbs up for astronauts: Branson on Virgin Galactic's voyage into space

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/strasbourg-christmas-market-attacker-killed-after-gun-battle-183878">Strasbourg Christmas market attacker killed after </a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/strasbourg-christmas-market-attacker-killed-after-gun-battle-183878">gun</a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/strasbourg-christmas-market-attacker-killed-after-gun-battle-183878"> battle</a>

French security forces on Thursday night killed the suspect, Cherif Chekatt, 29, who was allegedly responsible for the attack on the Christmas market in Strasbourg in which three people had died.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/today-has-been-out-of-this-world-its-a-thumbs-up-for-astronauts-branson-on-virgin-galactics-voyage-183902">Today has been out of this world, it's a thumbs up for astronauts: Branson on Virgin Galactic's voyage into space</a>

Virgin Galactic's SpaceShipTwo, VSS Unity, flew higher than it ever has before on Thursday, surpassing what the US Air Force considers the boundary of space, and marking the first manned flight to space from US soil since 2011.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/eu-leaders-reject-mays-plea-over-brexit-deal-183880">EU leaders reject PM Theresa May's plea over Brexit deal</a>

EU leaders rejected a plea by Theresa May on Thursday to help her sell her Brexit deal to parliament, warning she must set out exactly what she wants -- and announcing they would step up contingency plans in case the deal collapses.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/china-going-to-open-up-whole-country-they-want-to-please-me-trump-183898">China going to open up </a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/china-going-to-open-up-whole-country-they-want-to-please-me-trump-183898">whole</a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/china-going-to-open-up-whole-country-they-want-to-please-me-trump-183898"> country, they want to please me: Trump</a>

In a major policy shift, China is "going to open" up the entire country, US President Donald Trump said Thursday amidst trade negotiations with the Chinese.

"I just see this in the front page of The Wall Street Journal which just came out. China is going to open its policy, a big policy shift. They are going to open the whole country, that they want to please President Trump, that they want to do things that they have to do and that people should have been after China for years, I mean frankly," Trump told Fox News in an interview.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/no-trump-putin-meeting-while-russia-holds-ukraine-ship-john-bolton-183876">No Trump-Putin meeting while Russia holds Ukraine ship: US NSA John Bolton</a>

There will be no meeting between US President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin while Russia still holds Ukrainian ships and sailors seized near Crimea, US national security adviser John Bolton said on Thursday.

Strasbourg Christmas market attacker killed after gun battle French security forces on Thursday night killed the suspect, Cherif Chekatt, 29, who was allegedly responsible for the attack on the Christmas market in Strasbourg in which three people had died.

Strasbourg Christmas market attacker killed after gun battle French security forces on Thursday night killed the suspect, Cherif Chekatt, 29, who was allegedly responsible for the attack on the Christmas market in Strasbourg in which three people had died. Today has been out of this world, it's a thumbs up for astronauts: Branson on Virgin Galactic's voyage into space Virgin Galactic's SpaceShipTwo, VSS Unity, flew higher than it ever has before on Thursday, surpassing what the US Air Force considers the boundary of space, and marking the first manned flight to space from US soil since 2011. EU leaders reject PM Theresa May's plea over Brexit deal EU leaders rejected a plea by Theresa May on Thursday to help her sell her Brexit deal to parliament, warning she must set out exactly what she wants -- and announcing they would step up contingency plans in case the deal collapses. China going to open up whole country, they want to please me: Trump In a major policy shift, China is "going to open" up the entire country, US President Donald Trump said Thursday amidst trade negotiations with the Chinese. "I just see this in the front page of The Wall Street Journal which just came out. China is going to open its policy, a big policy shift. They are going to open the whole country, that they want to please President Trump, that they want to do things that they have to do and that people should have been after China for years, I mean frankly," Trump told Fox News in an interview. No Trump-Putin meeting while Russia holds Ukraine ship: US NSA John Bolton There will be no meeting between US President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin while Russia still holds Ukrainian ships and sailors seized near Crimea, US national security adviser John Bolton said on Thursday.

News brief: Big stories of the day

Virgin Galactic's SpaceShipTwo took off from California's Mojave desert Thursday night.&nbsp;It was <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/virgin-galactic-test-flight-could-usher-in-new-era-in-space-tourism-183635">headed for space</a> but fell about 20 kilometres short.&nbsp;

SpaceShipTwo was carried by another plane, the WhiteKnightTwo, up to a height of nine miles. (Commercial airplanes typically fly at an altitude of about six miles

From there, SpaceShipTwo detached itself from WhiteKnightTwo, ignite its engines and headed for a height of 62 miles or 100 kilometres where space is said to begin.&nbsp;

SpaceShipTwo's rocket motor burnt for 60 seconds, in which time it hit a top speed of Mach 2.9 (or 2.9 times the speed of sound) — but it fell just short of space.&nbsp;

SpaceShiptTwo got to a height of 51.4 miles or 82.7 km.&nbsp;Space is generally said to begin at 62 miles or 100 km.

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SpaceShipTwo's rocket motor burnt for 60 seconds
— Virgin Galactic (@virgingalactic) <a href="https://twitter.com/virgingalactic/status/1073251683214344193?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 13, 2018</a></blockquote>
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We travelled at 2.9 Mach on the way up to today. That's 2.9 times the speed of sound.
— Virgin Galactic (@virgingalactic) <a href="https://twitter.com/virgingalactic/status/1073252317598609408?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 13, 2018</a></blockquote>
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SpaceShipTwo reached: 
51.4m 
271,268ft 
82.7km
— Virgin Galactic (@virgingalactic) <a href="https://twitter.com/virgingalactic/status/1073251588523712513?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 13, 2018</a></blockquote>
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Lovely shot of takeoff! WhiteKnightTwo and SpaceShipTwo take to the skies <a href="https://t.co/JFcSDVB9jR">pic.twitter.com/JFcSDVB9jR</a>
— Virgin Galactic (@virgingalactic) <a href="https://twitter.com/virgingalactic/status/1073238643630759937?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 13, 2018</a></blockquote>
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SpaceShiptTwo was piloted by the former US Air Force pilot Mark "Forger" Stucky and the test pilot and former Nasa astronaut CJ Sturckow P.&nbsp;

Virgin Galactic is owned by Sir Richard Branson, who is competing with Tesla's Elon Musk and Amazon's Jeff Bezos to send the first commercial passengers into space.

Branson founded Virgin Galactic in 2004, shortly after Musk set up SpaceX and Jeff Bezos set up Blue Origin.

In July, after burning its rocket motor for 42 seconds, Virgin Galactic's VSS Unity reached a height of 32 miles, a part of the atmosphere called the mesosphere.

The VSS Unity reached a top speed of over 1,530 miles per hour, or beyond Mach 2.

"Overall the goal of this flight is to fly higher and faster than previous flights," a statement from Virgin Galactic said.&nbsp;

"If all goes to plan our pilots will experience an extended period of micro-gravity as VSS Unity coasts to apogee, although -- being pilots -- they will remain securely strapped in throughout."

Virgin's first commerical flight date has been pushed back multiple times, following a test flight accident that killed a co-pilot in 2014.

Branson told CNN in November he hoped to send people to space "before Christmas."

More than 600 clients have already paid $250,000 for a ticket.

(With inputs from AFP)

Virgin Galactic's SpaceShipTwo took off from California's Mojave desert Thursday night. It was headed for space but fell about 20 kilometres short. SpaceShipTwo was carried by another plane, the WhiteKnightTwo, up to a height of nine miles.

Virgin Galactic's SpaceShipTwo took off from California's Mojave desert Thursday night. It was headed for space but fell about 20 kilometres short. SpaceShipTwo was carried by another plane, the WhiteKnightTwo, up to a height of nine miles. (Commercial airplanes typically fly at an altitude of about six miles From there, SpaceShipTwo detached itself from WhiteKnightTwo, ignite its engines and headed for a height of 62 miles or 100 kilometres where space is said to begin. SpaceShipTwo's rocket motor burnt for 60 seconds, in which time it hit a top speed of Mach 2.9 (or 2.9 times the speed of sound) — but it fell just short of space. SpaceShiptTwo got to a height of 51.4 miles or 82.7 km. Space is generally said to begin at 62 miles or 100 km. SpaceShipTwo's rocket motor burnt for 60 seconds — Virgin Galactic (@virgingalactic) December 13, 2018 × We travelled at 2.9 Mach on the way up to today. That's 2.9 times the speed of sound. — Virgin Galactic (@virgingalactic) December 13, 2018 × SpaceShipTwo reached: 51.4m 271,268ft 82.7km — Virgin Galactic (@virgingalactic) December 13, 2018 × Lovely shot of takeoff! WhiteKnightTwo and SpaceShipTwo take to the skies pic.twitter.com/JFcSDVB9jR — Virgin Galactic (@virgingalactic) December 13, 2018 × SpaceShiptTwo was piloted by the former US Air Force pilot Mark "Forger" Stucky and the test pilot and former Nasa astronaut CJ Sturckow P. Virgin Galactic is owned by Sir Richard Branson, who is competing with Tesla's Elon Musk and Amazon's Jeff Bezos to send the first commercial passengers into space. Branson founded Virgin Galactic in 2004, shortly after Musk set up SpaceX and Jeff Bezos set up Blue Origin. In July, after burning its rocket motor for 42 seconds, Virgin Galactic's VSS Unity reached a height of 32 miles, a part of the atmosphere called the mesosphere. The VSS Unity reached a top speed of over 1,530 miles per hour, or beyond Mach 2. "Overall the goal of this flight is to fly higher and faster than previous flights," a statement from Virgin Galactic said. "If all goes to plan our pilots will experience an extended period of micro-gravity as VSS Unity coasts to apogee, although -- being pilots -- they will remain securely strapped in throughout." Virgin's first commerical flight date has been pushed back multiple times, following a test flight accident that killed a co-pilot in 2014. Branson told CNN in November he hoped to send people to space "before Christmas." More than 600 clients have already paid $250,000 for a ticket. (With inputs from AFP)

Virgin Galactic's SpaceShipTwo blasts off for space, falls 20 km short

Virgin Galatic owner and British entrepreneur Richard Branson said he expects his rocket company to launch a space flight "within weeks, not months".

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/japanese-billionaire-yusaku-maezawa-to-be-spacex-moon-traveller-166267">Also Read:&nbsp;Japanese billionaire Yusaku Maezawa to be SpaceX Moon traveller</a>

"We will be in space with people not too long after that," he added.

Amazon owner Jeff Bezos had recently announced that his company Blue Origin is developing a rocket which will help man to land on the Moon in the next five years.

SpaceX CEO Elon Musk had recently announced that his company would be sending Japanese billionaire Yusaku Maezawa as a Moon tourist. Maezawa, 42, will become SpaceX's first Moon tourist. However, there were still no reports on the cost of the ticket.

Branson, on the other hand, said ticket to space on the Virgin Galactic would cost $250,000.

"If I have a room full of 10 people, eight out of 10 would love to go to space if they could afford it," he said. Branson said ultimately he hoped the price of the ticket would come down to $40,000 or $50,000 over the next decade.

American multimillionaire Dennis Tito who travelled to space in April, 2001 as the first tourist paid $20 million for his trip. Tito spent seven days in space.

Maezawa who is the owner of an online fashion mall had said he would be taking six to eight artists from around the world to his Moon journey. SpaceX had described the journey as "an important step toward enabling access for everyday people who dream of traveling to space."

Until now, Americans have been the only ones who have left Earth's orbit. A total of 24 NASA astronauts went to the Moon during the Apollo era of the 1960s and '70s. Twelve walked on the lunar surface.

Virgin Galatic owner and British entrepreneur Richard Branson said he expects his rocket company to launch a space flight "within weeks, not months". Also Read: Japanese billionaire Yusaku Maezawa to be SpaceX Moon traveller "We will be in space with people not too long after that," he added.

Virgin Galatic owner and British entrepreneur Richard Branson said he expects his rocket company to launch a space flight "within weeks, not months". Also Read: Japanese billionaire Yusaku Maezawa to be SpaceX Moon traveller "We will be in space with people not too long after that," he added. Amazon owner Jeff Bezos had recently announced that his company Blue Origin is developing a rocket which will help man to land on the Moon in the next five years. SpaceX CEO Elon Musk had recently announced that his company would be sending Japanese billionaire Yusaku Maezawa as a Moon tourist. Maezawa, 42, will become SpaceX's first Moon tourist. However, there were still no reports on the cost of the ticket. Branson, on the other hand, said ticket to space on the Virgin Galactic would cost $250,000. "If I have a room full of 10 people, eight out of 10 would love to go to space if they could afford it," he said. Branson said ultimately he hoped the price of the ticket would come down to $40,000 or $50,000 over the next decade. American multimillionaire Dennis Tito who travelled to space in April, 2001 as the first tourist paid $20 million for his trip. Tito spent seven days in space. Maezawa who is the owner of an online fashion mall had said he would be taking six to eight artists from around the world to his Moon journey. SpaceX had described the journey as "an important step toward enabling access for everyday people who dream of traveling to space." Until now, Americans have been the only ones who have left Earth's orbit. A total of 24 NASA astronauts went to the Moon during the Apollo era of the 1960s and '70s. Twelve walked on the lunar surface.

Virgin Galatic space flight within weeks, not months: Richard Branson

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