Topic: Virgin Galactic Ltd.

How the ultra-rich plan to conquer space (+video)

From asteroid mining to space station taxis, a handful of billionaires have big plans for the final frontier. 

Challenger Deep as a tourist site? Modern-day Jules Vernes say 'yes'

There's not much to see in the blackness seven miles below the surface of the Pacific Ocean. But enthusiasts can envision the day when citizen adventurers would descend to Challenger Deep and other deep-sea destinations.

Stratolaunch plane could make space tourism affordable

Stratolaunch plane, an enormous aircraft, will be a flying launchpad for space flights. Could this Stratolaunch plane turn extraterrestrial tourism into an everyday affair?

Paul Allen plans to replace space shuttle program

Paul Allen is planning on building the world's largest plane intended to offer space travel to paying customers and possibly to the international space station.

Humongous plane to serve as flying launch pad for space tourists

Microsoft co-founder Paul Allen announced plans to construct a giant aircraft to launch rockets into orbit, eventually for paying passengers.

Will airborne launch pads replace the Space Shuttle program?

Stratolaunch Systems, founded by Microsoft co-founder Paul Allen, is planning to build a huge carrier aircraft that will launch unmanned rockets into space.  

After the space shuttle, astronaut corps awaits a new mission

NASA's once-iconic astronaut corps will shrink but still play a vital role as the space shuttle era comes to an end.

A space tourism trip to the moon? It could happen by 2015.

A space tourism study by Space Adventures suggests that 140 private citizens could reach orbit by 2020, and it is promoting its own 17-day excursion that includes orbiting the moon.

Yuri Gagarin went into space 50 years ago. When will you get your turn?

Yuri Gagarin became the first human to enter space on April 12, 1961. Fifty years later, isn't it about time you get a chance to be an astronaut?

'Flying' submarine: Richard Branson shifts sights from outer space to deep sea

'Flying' submarine? British tycoon Richard Branson on Tuesday unveiled the one-man Virgin Oceanic Sub, which is capable of diving seven miles underwater to the deepest points in the ocean.

April Fool's Day history: five best-ever pranks

April Fool's Day history has been marked by many good pranks, but here are five of the most creative ever.

Spaceport America being developed for commercial spaceflight in New Mexico

Spaceport America will play host to a number of aerospace companies, including Virgin Galatic and Lockheed Martin.

Virgin Galatic 'spaceliner' passes another glide test

Virgin Galatic's 'SpaceShipTwo' successfully completed a glide test over the California desert on Wednesday.

Virgin Galactic glides closer to $200,000-a-seat space shots

Virgin Galactic gave its spacecraft a first test flight Sunday. It glided to a perfect landing from an elevation of 45,000 feet. Virgin Galactic hopes to start flights for tourists within 18 months.

Virgin Galactic spaceship test glide could happen this fall

Virgin Galactic SpaceShipTwo spacecraft, the VSS Enterprise, could make its first drop flights over California's Mojave Desert for glide and landing tests this fall, says the company.

Moonbase Alpha: New NASA game lets you run a virtual lunar station

Moonbase Alpha has players working together to restore oxygen flow and critical systems on a virtual lunar base after a meteor strike.

Six great summer getaways...in space!

If you've got an adventurous spirit and a fat bank balance, these out-of-this-world holidays are for you.

Six private enterprises that could launch humans into orbit

Private spaceflight is entering a new era with the first test launch of the new Falcon 9 rocket Friday. Here are six companies vying to build a vessel that will carry civilians into space.

Top 10 ways to spend a Goldman Sachs bonus

Goldman Sachs' bonus pool was announced Thursday, with an average payout of $500,000. After taxes, what could that buy?

A private space industry is born

Human spaceflight today may be where the satellite business was early on: Governments initially handled everything, but eventually companies took over the business.

Space tourism temporarily grounded?

Space tourists: Wait for next seat could be long

Charles Simonyi returned to Earth Wednesday. It was the last trip on which nonastronauts could hitch a ride on the Russian Soyuz spacecraft.

Today's top 5 April Fools gags

Columbia's lessons for future rocketeers

The new Columbia report focuses specifically on crew survival, and it's not just for NASA's consumption. It's aimed at spacecraft designers around the wor