By CNBC-TV18 Jul 11, 2021 10:24:32 PM IST (Updated)
Follow real-time updates on Union Budget 2023Catch exclusive videos on Union Budget 2023 from CNBC-TV18
A crowd of more than 500 people had watched the twin-fuselage aircraft with Branson's space plane attached underneath taking off.
Virgin Galactic's Richard Branson and five crewmates today soared to space and returned safely aboard a rocket plane, according to a Reuters report.
Recommended Articles
View All
World Cancer Day 2023: Early detection is crucial for reducing the global burden
Feb 4, 2023 IST5 Min(s) Read
World Cancer Day 2023: A way forward to better management of cancer this year!
Feb 4, 2023 IST6 Min(s) Read
Pakistan economy at alarming level as foreign reserves drop to $3.1 billion from $16.6 billion in a year
Feb 3, 2023 IST3 Min(s) Read
FM Nirmala Sitharaman speaks on inflation, taxes, GDP and more. Read the full interview here
Feb 3, 2023 IST37 Min(s) Read
AP earlier reported that a crowd of more than 500 people had watched the twin-fuselage aircraft with Branson's space plane attached underneath taking off.
#UPDATE | Virgin Galactic's Richard Branson and five crewmates soar to space and return safely aboard rocket plane: Reuters
— ANI (@ANI) July 11, 2021
Aboard the spacecraft were Branson and five crewmates from his Virgin Galactic space-tourism company. According to the AP report, the plan was for the space plane to detach from the mother ship at an altitude of nearly 8 miles (13 km), fire its rocket engine and then pierce the edge of space at about 55 miles (88 km) up. After a few minutes of weightlessness for the crew, the space plane was supposed to glide to a runway landing.
The flight was intended as a confidence-boosting plug for Virgin Galactic, which plans to start taking paying customers on joyrides next year, the report said. It's a beautiful day to go to space, Branson tweeted in the morning, posting a photo of himself with fellow billionaire and space-tourism rival Elon Musk.
It’s a beautiful day to go to space. We’ve arrived at @Spaceport_NM. Get ready to watch LIVE at 7:30 am PT | 10:30 am ET | 3:30 pm BST https://t.co/PcvGTmA661 #Unity22 pic.twitter.com/4KjGPpjz0M
— Richard Branson (@richardbranson) July 11, 2021
Branson, the founder of Virgin Atlantic Airways, wasn't supposed to fly until later this summer, but he assigned himself to an earlier flight after Bezos announced plans to ride his own rocket ship into space from Texas on July 20, according to the AP report.
Watch our #Unity22 spaceflight live @virgingalactic https://t.co/J2M2u4H2hP
— Richard Branson (@richardbranson) July 11, 2021
More than 600 people have already made reservations for a ride into space with Virgin Galactic, founded in 2004, the report said.
Bezos' Blue Origin has yet to open ticket sales or even announce prices. Unlike Blue Origin and Musk's SpaceX both launch capsules atop rockets.
Big day ahead. Great to start the morning with a friend. Feeling good, feeling excited, feeling ready.
Watch #Unity22 launch and livestream TODAY at 7:30 am PT | 10:30 am ET | 3:30 pm BST.@virgingalactic @elonmusk https://t.co/1313b4RAKI pic.twitter.com/FRQqrQEbH8— Richard Branson (@richardbranson) July 11, 2021
According to the AP report, Virgin Galactic made three previous test flights into space with a crew.
-With agency inputs
First Published: Jul 11, 2021 9:12 PM IST
Check out our in-depth Market Coverage, Business News & get real-time Stock Market Updates on CNBC-TV18. Also, Watch our channels CNBC-TV18, CNBC Awaaz and CNBC Bajar Live on-the-go!