British entrepreneur Sir Richard Branson has unveiled the official plan to slap the Virgin brand on the cosmos itself with the official launch of Virgin Galactic. Branson’s spaceliners will take six passengers (and two pilots) to sub-orbital space, more than sixty miles above the earth’s surface. For $200K passengers get a whopping five minutes of weightlessness and the possibility of sitting next to celeb space enthusiasts. According to the New York Post designer Phillippe Starck and Stephen Hawking have both signed up for flights slated to begin in 2009. Maybe he’ll give you a break on the ticket if you show up at the New Mexico launching grounds, Spaceport America.
http://www.virgingalactic.com/