Virgin Galactic, the space tourism branch of the airline, has sold 20 of its tickets to Gulf tourist desirous of taking a trip into space, said sources. With high-profile travellers such as Stephen Hawking and ex-racer Niki Lauda, Virgin is all set to sell all of its tickets in its first year of test operation, that is, 2011. The 20 tickets have already raked in $45 million.
“The spaceport will be open next year and we will hopefully test flights into space next year,” he said. “I will not say whether commercial space flights will begin in 2011, 2012 or 2013. It’s going to happen when we’re ready,” said Will Whitehorn, the company’s president.
