2 years ago
CALIFORNIA (NBC) -- The Final Frontier is one step closer to mainstream mankind. In California's Mojave Desert Virgin Galactic Monday unveiled Whiteknight Two, also known as "the mothership". It will carry an air-launched rocket that will blast tourists 60-miles into sub-orbital space.
"The spaceship will be attached to the mother ship. At 60,000 feet it drops away. An incredible rush, absolutely mind boggling," explained Virgin Galactic's Sir Richard Branson.
The adventure-seeking billionaire is behind the WK2, the world's largest all carbon composite aircraft. So far fewer than 500 people have been to outer space. Among them is former astronaut Buzz Aldrin, who supports space tourism.
"When I came back from Gemini 12 I said 'My grandmother could do this'," Aldrin quipped at the unveiling ceremony.
You'll need deep pockets to head to deep space. Tickets cost $200,000 a piece. Branson hopes someday ordinary folks will be able to afford a chance to shoot for the stars. "All range of people will be able to fly, and obviously we hope that in time that the price will come down," he said.
Despite the price tag space lovers are clamoring to fly into orbit. So far 200 people are booked to blast off for trips to space as early as 2010. "Whiteknight" will begin air tests in the fall, then next year will do tests with "Spaceship 2" attached.
(NBC)
