Sir Richard Branson has gone a bit loopy after his many failed attempts to cross the world in his hot-air balloon. Instead, he's now decided to go to SPACE - The Final Frontier !

BBC

"The British business tycoon, Richard Branson, has unveiled an aircraft in the US that will be used for his project to launch tourists into space. The high-altitude jet will act as the mothership for a spacecraft, releasing it in mid-air to take two crew and six passengers on sub-orbital flights.

More than 250 people have already paid $200,000 (£100,000) each to be among the first making the tourist trips. Mr Branson predicts the maiden space voyage will take place in 18 months.

Image courtesy of BBC.

White Knight Two must undergo a rigorous flight testing programme, beginning in the autumn. The mothership is a white, four-engine jet designed to cradle SpaceShipTwo under its wing and release it at 50,000 feet (15,240m) in the air.

Once separated, SpaceShipTwo will fire its hybrid rocket and climb some 62 miles (100km) above the Earth. Engineers still need to finish building SpaceShipTwo, which is now about 70% complete, according to Virgin Galactic. Mr Branson said the name of the White Knight Two reflected the pioneering spirit of his space tourism venture. "

LINK