![The 'VSS Unity' lands after taking passengers including Mr Branson to the edge of space.](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/Z57PS6742DIVHWE2YHL6UIYQAM.jpg?smart=true&auth=a554f41a7643ace1fa173a29899e604d67a6d8db26c42ddeb8df8dc5bbd1d392&width=400&height=225)
![Virgin Galactic founder Richard Branson is greeted by schoolchildren before boarding the rocket plane at Spaceport America, New Mexico.](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/A5UD2UXWFQI6ALDPEPHLPWZJ64.jpg?smart=true&auth=b5fa3da13b3aff87a2c177e109f6c4f230fd33deb0c2510ce4503cd13e4e8858&width=400&height=225)
![Pilot Michael Masucci makes his way to Virgin Galactic's passenger rocket plane 'VSS Unity'.](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/7BK35GFM6YC2KO73XEOW5L2MKY.jpg?smart=true&auth=c96f40360497746876ffb89aec11aa7a2b48b48053a4831ddb29333d74bf7507&width=400&height=225)
![Sirisha Bandla, Virgin Galactic's vice president of government affairs and research operations, was among the passengers on the flight.](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/P6VQK6NYY4IXTA6442OD7CYMRU.jpg?smart=true&auth=76437920589ba72eee05d4c792a9083015ae8b939b4e750111474edad33d853f&width=400&height=225)
![Mr Branson is driven to the rocket plane at Spaceport America, near the city of Truth or Consequences, New Mexico.](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/TAAIGR5T7EBFFTRZDJC44MXBZ4.jpg?focal=2356%2C878&auth=139cc681b764392213e5b992c5cc5d28575b055bf1d5be8db67845d5ae1258ff&width=400&height=225)
![Mr Branson, his fellow passengers and the crew are driven to the rocket plane.](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/CJAJW4BFL6LC4NB6YDVGWNEQ34.jpg?smart=true&auth=7e7165234649c12873fdbe9326a424de77cd311e5296972d916b2abcceb87bc6&width=400&height=225)
![Virgin Galactic's passenger rocket plane 'VSS Unity', borne by a twin-fuselage carrier jet called 'VMS Eve', before its launch in New Mexico.](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/IOJTYNJTHCUYMRU5FDH4GQEUI4.jpg?smart=true&auth=b5ed4d5e8b9754eeb8a947f2c3a72dfcd4310b4cedf84303cf5331eba8deb259&width=400&height=225)
![Virgin Galactic's chief astronaut instructor Beth Mose embraces Mr Branson and other crew members before boarding the 'VSS Unity'.](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/XFR4ZEJBZDK6WJI5UGDUHIFQQA.jpg?smart=true&auth=1a33a4086cfe9d1ddbf3f666fe7b9b8c2e353e483ccff374816d6e7839e222d4&width=400&height=225)
![People gather to watch the 'VSS Unity' take off from Spaceport America.](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/BY22MFQZ2PNDBJUWJFZ76KKFTU.jpg?smart=true&auth=d5f801f301ae1cb651d6d465311bc5a79ffb91258a0c82372a1c6e51738c63bb&width=400&height=225)
![The jet takes off on its way to space.](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/JTWF6WMYFJX2KIWC7OSIBJ74MQ.jpg?smart=true&auth=4e4cee58d9dd9f2eafa549b8b4ca857bee8dac4f2cf403624dfa95f07996bd71&width=400&height=225)
![The 'VSS Unity' and its mothership separate above Spaceport America.](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/WIH7HRWW7YDSJKG4USCDYSP6VU.jpg?smart=true&auth=9dc30c64daec28dab0b760a98ad0344b73d9cff0172b37ac929d6cdcb268651c&width=400&height=225)
![The jet starts its engines as it travels to the edge of space.](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/QXOEZ5UIL4BU4HSW6VOZVFH2UQ.jpg?smart=true&auth=93f3be9aac8baed0b6837fb423120da4cbd785ed2dc4ffa2e2efda2b977b0ca5&width=400&height=225)
![Mr Branson was one of six people on board the 'VSS Unity'.](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/7Q2KVS3AUMT3FBTO443NJNDUEA.jpg?smart=true&auth=2a99c60aa729201949cb8bc153b9d8cabf3b348e15967f8f9a859423710bbfdb&width=400&height=225)
![Mr Branson enjoys the journey as the billionaire is flown to space.](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/43NOGJV5DXH6NKYMUDX3I4TYGE.jpg?focal=2348%2C493&auth=dd6052373ce2824c43ddfe6bc64cc9782987f6eb9f3c67b81d26351fec5fd15a&width=400&height=225)
![The rocket plane starts its untethered ascent to the edge of space.](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/HYEWYY4RFERJSEZNA53S54PNSY.jpg?smart=true&auth=d06a80ec1458bcd256e56a50a99abbe97c0355720ad10f70400122fa312910da&width=400&height=225)
![Mr Branson, his fellow passengers and crew on board the 'VSS Unity'.](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/HIQLB2EVG3TMY3WWIMPCMSOT5Y.jpg?smart=true&auth=6bc17a012ba2ea7648ee7638eacded0aec49d3dfca1eb42d39b7d1042464f6da&width=400&height=225)
![Virgin Galactic's rocket plane begins its ascent to the edge of space.](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/GL5BKUOZQABOA2HR4OCANZXD7E.jpg?smart=true&auth=f26be567f82094b1b6e3c8771fa66fa349bb6b08bcdfd8d2041a9996b9990a00&width=400&height=225)
![It was the 22nd test launch to space on the 'VSS Unity'.](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/AUWV4CWV4O56Q6ZKZQ3SSF4LKI.jpg?smart=true&auth=5dd99671da35d0b932d74c4e8c1ace16d3fd86256f9c8abecf10297ea18f3511&width=400&height=225)
![Mr Branson has travelled to space about 17 years after founding Virgin Galactic.](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/XGMDKPSTLXPDM6VXLFBYHN67K4.jpg?smart=true&auth=bd8170a44d822d66142495243dd58b737f7756ba3e9c2ec7bca2682f321cee44&width=400&height=225)
![Spectators watch as the 'VSS Unity' separates from its mothership.](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/TBK2KLOTJWPAZSKQ4RDYP7SXFE.jpg?smart=true&auth=036a41838d3ae0d52e19afa20059114e0c19868c10a09777063c2a82da9ce5d1&width=400&height=225)
![The 'VSS Unity' lands after taking passengers including Mr Branson to the edge of space.](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/Z57PS6742DIVHWE2YHL6UIYQAM.jpg?smart=true&auth=a554f41a7643ace1fa173a29899e604d67a6d8db26c42ddeb8df8dc5bbd1d392&width=400&height=225)
![Virgin Galactic founder Richard Branson is greeted by schoolchildren before boarding the rocket plane at Spaceport America, New Mexico.](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/A5UD2UXWFQI6ALDPEPHLPWZJ64.jpg?smart=true&auth=b5fa3da13b3aff87a2c177e109f6c4f230fd33deb0c2510ce4503cd13e4e8858&width=400&height=225)
![Pilot Michael Masucci makes his way to Virgin Galactic's passenger rocket plane 'VSS Unity'.](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/7BK35GFM6YC2KO73XEOW5L2MKY.jpg?smart=true&auth=c96f40360497746876ffb89aec11aa7a2b48b48053a4831ddb29333d74bf7507&width=400&height=225)
![Sirisha Bandla, Virgin Galactic's vice president of government affairs and research operations, was among the passengers on the flight.](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/P6VQK6NYY4IXTA6442OD7CYMRU.jpg?smart=true&auth=76437920589ba72eee05d4c792a9083015ae8b939b4e750111474edad33d853f&width=400&height=225)
![Mr Branson is driven to the rocket plane at Spaceport America, near the city of Truth or Consequences, New Mexico.](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/TAAIGR5T7EBFFTRZDJC44MXBZ4.jpg?focal=2356%2C878&auth=139cc681b764392213e5b992c5cc5d28575b055bf1d5be8db67845d5ae1258ff&width=400&height=225)
![Mr Branson, his fellow passengers and the crew are driven to the rocket plane.](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/CJAJW4BFL6LC4NB6YDVGWNEQ34.jpg?smart=true&auth=7e7165234649c12873fdbe9326a424de77cd311e5296972d916b2abcceb87bc6&width=400&height=225)
![Virgin Galactic's passenger rocket plane 'VSS Unity', borne by a twin-fuselage carrier jet called 'VMS Eve', before its launch in New Mexico.](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/IOJTYNJTHCUYMRU5FDH4GQEUI4.jpg?smart=true&auth=b5ed4d5e8b9754eeb8a947f2c3a72dfcd4310b4cedf84303cf5331eba8deb259&width=400&height=225)
![Virgin Galactic's chief astronaut instructor Beth Mose embraces Mr Branson and other crew members before boarding the 'VSS Unity'.](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/XFR4ZEJBZDK6WJI5UGDUHIFQQA.jpg?smart=true&auth=1a33a4086cfe9d1ddbf3f666fe7b9b8c2e353e483ccff374816d6e7839e222d4&width=400&height=225)
![People gather to watch the 'VSS Unity' take off from Spaceport America.](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/BY22MFQZ2PNDBJUWJFZ76KKFTU.jpg?smart=true&auth=d5f801f301ae1cb651d6d465311bc5a79ffb91258a0c82372a1c6e51738c63bb&width=400&height=225)
![The jet takes off on its way to space.](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/JTWF6WMYFJX2KIWC7OSIBJ74MQ.jpg?smart=true&auth=4e4cee58d9dd9f2eafa549b8b4ca857bee8dac4f2cf403624dfa95f07996bd71&width=400&height=225)
![The 'VSS Unity' and its mothership separate above Spaceport America.](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/WIH7HRWW7YDSJKG4USCDYSP6VU.jpg?smart=true&auth=9dc30c64daec28dab0b760a98ad0344b73d9cff0172b37ac929d6cdcb268651c&width=400&height=225)
![The jet starts its engines as it travels to the edge of space.](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/QXOEZ5UIL4BU4HSW6VOZVFH2UQ.jpg?smart=true&auth=93f3be9aac8baed0b6837fb423120da4cbd785ed2dc4ffa2e2efda2b977b0ca5&width=400&height=225)
![Mr Branson was one of six people on board the 'VSS Unity'.](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/7Q2KVS3AUMT3FBTO443NJNDUEA.jpg?smart=true&auth=2a99c60aa729201949cb8bc153b9d8cabf3b348e15967f8f9a859423710bbfdb&width=400&height=225)
![Mr Branson enjoys the journey as the billionaire is flown to space.](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/43NOGJV5DXH6NKYMUDX3I4TYGE.jpg?focal=2348%2C493&auth=dd6052373ce2824c43ddfe6bc64cc9782987f6eb9f3c67b81d26351fec5fd15a&width=400&height=225)
![The rocket plane starts its untethered ascent to the edge of space.](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/HYEWYY4RFERJSEZNA53S54PNSY.jpg?smart=true&auth=d06a80ec1458bcd256e56a50a99abbe97c0355720ad10f70400122fa312910da&width=400&height=225)
![Mr Branson, his fellow passengers and crew on board the 'VSS Unity'.](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/HIQLB2EVG3TMY3WWIMPCMSOT5Y.jpg?smart=true&auth=6bc17a012ba2ea7648ee7638eacded0aec49d3dfca1eb42d39b7d1042464f6da&width=400&height=225)
![Virgin Galactic's rocket plane begins its ascent to the edge of space.](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/GL5BKUOZQABOA2HR4OCANZXD7E.jpg?smart=true&auth=f26be567f82094b1b6e3c8771fa66fa349bb6b08bcdfd8d2041a9996b9990a00&width=400&height=225)
![It was the 22nd test launch to space on the 'VSS Unity'.](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/AUWV4CWV4O56Q6ZKZQ3SSF4LKI.jpg?smart=true&auth=5dd99671da35d0b932d74c4e8c1ace16d3fd86256f9c8abecf10297ea18f3511&width=400&height=225)
![Mr Branson has travelled to space about 17 years after founding Virgin Galactic.](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/XGMDKPSTLXPDM6VXLFBYHN67K4.jpg?smart=true&auth=bd8170a44d822d66142495243dd58b737f7756ba3e9c2ec7bca2682f321cee44&width=400&height=225)
![Spectators watch as the 'VSS Unity' separates from its mothership.](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/TBK2KLOTJWPAZSKQ4RDYP7SXFE.jpg?smart=true&auth=036a41838d3ae0d52e19afa20059114e0c19868c10a09777063c2a82da9ce5d1&width=400&height=225)
![The 'VSS Unity' lands after taking passengers including Mr Branson to the edge of space.](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/Z57PS6742DIVHWE2YHL6UIYQAM.jpg?smart=true&auth=a554f41a7643ace1fa173a29899e604d67a6d8db26c42ddeb8df8dc5bbd1d392&width=400&height=225)
Elon Musk bought ticket for Virgin Galactic spaceflight back in 2006
The SpaceX billionaire - now a major Virgin rival - was among the first 600 people to buy his place in space
![Sarwat Nasir](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/https%3A%2F%2Fs3.amazonaws.com%2Farc-authors%2Fthenational%2F5a1721d1-b1fc-47a7-8c35-985395d5a5ae.png?smart=true&auth=59b598b8295381dbbb5492b5ef6a2ffa0d77e07c0a1086053fcdbee600f14b7f&width=70&height=70)
Sarwat Nasir
July 13, 2021
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July 13, 2021