Branson Rolls Out Space Plane

At a remote airfield in the Mojave Desert today, Virgin Galactic founder Richard Branson unveiled the flagship of his new venture, an aircraft that will carry the first passenger space rocket to its launch height of 48,000 feet, the Los Angeles Times reports. Tickets are going for $200,000-plus, with the maiden voyage possible before decade’s end.

The Burt Rutan-designed Eve (named for Branson’s mother) will carry the 8-passenger spaceship to its launch height; from there, four minutes of weightlessness before landing much as a normal plane. Branson says he’ll take his family on the maiden passenger voyage, and 250 wealthy adventurers have already reserved their seats. (More Richard Branson stories.)