Feature Stories

Virgin Galactic Unveils New Spacecraft

Sir Richard Branson was on hand in California today for the unveiling of the aircraft that his new “Virgin Galactic” company will use to shuttle passengers to a new level -- into space.

The plane, dubbed “WhiteKnightTwo” (WK2), was shown to the public today at the Mojave Air and Space Port in the California desert. WK2 will serve as the launch pad from which “SpaceShipTwo” (SS2) will be launched from an altitude of 50,000 feet. SS2, which is not yet complete, will then carry travelers on to the next level of space.

Testing of WK2 and SS2 is set to begin in late 2009, with commercial flights to start up in 2010.

So far, some 270 people have signed up and put down deposits to be part of the space journey. Airfare for the trip is approximately $200,000.

See photos and read more on the story from Wired magazine.