Virgin Galactic spaceflight updates: First paying customers set for space in key step for tourism

in 2004, is launching its long-awaited first commercial spaceflight, called "Galactic 01," on Thursday.

Virgin Galactic's start to commercial service comes after years of delays and setbacks. If "Galactic 01" is successful, the company plans to fly its second mission as soon as August and then aims to begin flying its spacecraft, VSS Unity, once a month. Virgin Galactic has a backlog of about 800 passengers. Many of those tickets were sold at prices between $200,000 and $250,000 each over a decade ago, but the company reopened ticket sales two years ago – with pricing beginning at $450,000 per seat."Galactic 01" is airborne! VMS Eve just took off moments ago, and will now carry VSS Unity up to its release point altitude.Carrier aircraft VMS Eve and spacecraft VSS Unity are on the move, taxiing on the runway at Spaceport America.

In total, the flights last about 90 minutes from when VMS Eve takes off to the time VSS Unity touches back down.The company's pair of vehicles is carrying eight people in total: four pilots and four passengers.

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