Reaching for the moon...

He is known for being adventurous, innovative and media-friendly. On 28 July 2009, Richard Branson made his maiden flight in the VMS Eve aircraft at the EAA-Airventure 2009 show in Oshkosh, Wisconsin. This rocket plane will be used to launch the SpaceShip Two (SS2) spacecraft built by the British tycoon's new subsidiary. Virgin Galactic will be able to send passengers into space for space and scientific tourism at a distance of 110 km around the Earth...

The first scheduled flights are due to begin in 2011 with the probable commissioning of the world's first SpacePort, an aerial platform built in New Mexico (USA). The SpacePort features a 10,000-foot runway for horizontal take-offs. The SS2 will be able to take six passengers on board. A journey that will come at a price: 200,000 dollars for a trip to the moon. Virgin Galactic expects to carry around 500 passengers a year.

Internet : www.spaceportamerica.com - www.virgingalactic.com