Entrepreneur, Sir Richard Branson, owner of 'Virgin Galactic' has revealed 'SpaceShipTwo' (SS2) and its mothership, 'VMS Eve' (WhiteKnightTwo) ushering in a new era of 'recreational', commercial space flight, with daily flights set to commence from 'Spaceport America' in New Mexico.Tickets cost $200,000 and deposits start from $20,000.
Designed by Burt Rutan, construction of the world’s first manned commercial spaceship began in 2007.
The SS2 design will be refined and completed during an extensive test flying program, capable of carrying up to 6 passenger astronauts and up to 2 pilot astronauts into space on a sub-orbital flight.SS2 will be attached to WK2, named EVE after Branson’s mother, carrying SS2 to above 50,000 feet (16 kilometres) before the spaceship is dropped, firing a rocket motor to launch into space.
Sneak Peek "Virgin Galactic"...
