Sir Richard Branson has blasted into space in his Virgin Galactic passenger rocket plane. The British billionaire soared more than 50 miles above the New Mexico desert in the vehicle's first fully crewed test flight to the edge of space. Branson, one of six Virgin Galactic Holding Inc employees strapping in for the ride, has touted the flight as a precursor to a new era of space tourism. The rocket, known as Unity, is being carried by a larger aeroplane to an altitude of about 15km (50,000ft), before it will be released. The Mirror's US editor Christopher Bucktin is reporting live from Virgin Galactic's 'spaceport' in Truth or Consequences, New Mexico

Source: Daily Mirror July 11, 2021 11:58 UTC