Virgin Galactic delayed again
Virgin Galactic has disappointed would-be space tourists again with news it has again pushed back maiden flights from Spaceport America.
Virgin owner Sir Richard Branson now says the first flight will be sometime "early next year".
Virgin Galactic previously hoped to blast off for the first time commercially before the end of 2014.
"Customers are eager to fly, but they know we’ll fly them when we feel ready," said Virgin Galactic CEO George Whitesides.
"Obviously we want to do it as quickly as possible, but we don’t want to rush it."
Virgin has pushed back the start date numerous times as it has faced technical challenges with its rocket motor.
Originally, the first Virgin Galactic flight was planned as far back as 2011.
The company says over 700 people have signed up for the trip so far for $250,000 per person.
Bev
Editor in chief Bev Fearis has been a travel journalist for 25 years. She started her career at Travel Weekly, where she became deputy news editor, before joining Business Traveller as deputy editor and launching the magazine’s website. She has also written travel features, news and expert comment for the Guardian, Observer, Times, Telegraph, Boundless and other consumer titles and was named one of the top 50 UK travel journalists by the Press Gazette.
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