When Sir Richard Branson launched his latest venture - a space tourism programme - he used the occasion to pay tribute to his mum. On Tuesday in California's Mojave desert the colourful tycoon unveiled a giant spacecraft named in her honour.
In 18 months WhiteKnightTwo Eve should be ready to blast passengers paying £100,000 each into the heavens.
The new jet will act as a mothership, cradling a lighter plane carrying the crew and tourists which will be released at 50,000 feet. Once separated, the vessel, known simply as SpaceShipTwo, will fire its rocket and climb 62 miles above Earth.
Physicist Stephen Hawking and former Dallas star Victoria Principal are among the celebrity space travellers who've already booked their seats to go into orbit.
Photo: © Alphapress.com
Photo: © Alphapress.com
