Branson Virgin Chairman Launches First Private Space Tourism Journey (Update)

Virgin Galactic's spacecraft is taking off.
Photo by Reuters Yonhap News

[Asia Economy New York=Correspondent Baek Jong-min] British billionaire Richard Branson, chairman of the Virgin Group, has made the first attempt at private space tourism. If he returns successfully, he is expected to be recorded in history as the first person to undertake private space tourism.

On the 11th (local time), Branson took off for space aboard Virgin Galactic's spacecraft, slightly past the originally scheduled 10:30 AM Eastern Time.

According to a video released by Virgin, Branson recorded himself as astronaut number one in the guestbook before boarding the spacecraft.

Richard Branson, Chairman of Virgin Group, is reaching out of the vehicle to greet.
[Image source=AP Yonhap News]

The spacecraft 'Unity,' which Branson boarded, separates at an altitude of 16 km, ignites its rocket, and heads to space. After experiencing space for about 4 minutes, it is scheduled to land on the ground around noon.

If Branson succeeds in his space trip, he is expected to surpass Jeff Bezos, founder of Amazon, and be recorded as the first private space tourist in history. On this day, U.S. media such as CNN broadcast the takeoff scene of the spacecraft carrying Branson live, showing great interest.

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