Branson’s Virgin Galactic Launch a Milestone for Space Tourism

PEACHTREE CITY, USA – Space tourism was brought closer to reality as Virgin Galactic founder Sir Richard Branson hurled into space aboard his own winged rocket ship “Unity” on July 11.

Branson and five others from his Virgin Galactic space tourism company reached an altitude of 53.5 miles over the New Mexico desert—enough to witness the curvature of the Earth and experience four minutes of weightlessness—and then glided back home to a runway landing. 

After more than 16 years of research, engineering and testing, Virgin Galactic hopes to send customers into space by next year. 

In 2011 Aventure Aviation hosted Burt Rutan, designer of Virgin Galactic’s winged rocket ship, for lunch at the Aventure exhibition at the Dubai Air show. Rutan shared his vision and engineering concepts with the Aventure team. 

“We are thrilled that ten years later, the space ship he designed managed to reach space and return safely with passengers,” said Osman Faruqi, Aventure’s director of military sales.

“We are inspired by Branson’s legendary adventurous spirit,” added Amyr Qureshi, Aventure’s senior vice president. “Our adventurous spirit is to provide customers with nothing less than the best aviation solutions.” 

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View of a surise over Earth in space from the window of a space ship

Aerospace designer Burt Rutan visits Aventure team members Zaheer Faruqi and Amyr Qureshi at the Aventure Aviation booth at the 2011 Dubai Airshow
Legendary aerospace designer, Burt Rutan (R), with Aventure Aviation’s Zaheer Faruqi (L), and Amyr Qureshi at Aventure’s 2011 Dubai Airshow booth.