Billionaire Richard Branson took off Sunday from a base in New Mexico aboard a Virgin Galactic vessel bound for the edge of space, a voyage he hopes will lift the nascent space tourism industry off the ground. – Space base -Branson, who founded the Virgin Group that today has interests in everything from commercial aviation to fitness centers, is known for his appetite for adventure and has set world records in hot air ballooning and boating. Financed largely by the state of New Mexico, Virgin Galactic is the principal tenant. -After Sunday, Virgin Galactic plans two further flights, then the start of regular commercial operations from early 2022. And though, according to Branson, “space belongs to us all,” the opportunity for now remains the preserve of the privileged.

Source: Punch July 11, 2021 14:48 UTC