From Blue Origin to SpaceX, several private space firms are racing to be the first to send tourists into space.
Now, Virgin Galactic has inched ahead of its rivals, after confirming the launch window for its first rocket-powered flight.
Virgin Galactic will aim to launch the test flight from New Mexico on December 11, pending good weather conditions.
Michael Colglazier, CEO, Virgin Galactic said: “With safety as our core priority, we remain committed to completing our first powered flight in New Mexico.
“In accordance with local government guidelines and safety protocols, we have minimized the number of people onsite to the greatest degree possible.
“While on this occasion no media or guests will be allowed onsite, our team will endeavour to capture and share the beautiful images with the world after the flight has been completed.
“We look forward to completing this important milestone in our test flight program in the coming weeks.”
During the test flight, Virgin Galactic’s VSS Unity spacecraft will take to the skies on its first rocket-powered flight.
This will be the spacecraft’s their flight, although the previous two were not rocket-powered.
Virgin Galactic hopes the flight will fulfil a number of objectives, including testing elements of the customer cabin, and assessing the flight controls.
The space firm has already signed up more than 600 space tourists, who each paid a whopping $250,000 (£192,000) to secure their place.
Unfortunately, timings for these space flights remain unclear.
However, Virgin Galactic has previously claimed that space tourism flights will launch in mid-2020.
