The spaceflight experience offered by Virgin Galactic promises to transform access to space and indeed the very idea of an astronaut.

The companies had previously announced a combined effort for Virgin Galactic.

A Web site for Virgin Galactic said the company expected to start taking deposits next year.

He is scheduled to be among the first passengers of Virgin Galactic's space service when flights begin in 2014 or 2015.

Much of the technology they developed was subsequently utilised by Virgin Galactic.

He is one of the first 100 people to pay for a trip into space through Virgin Galactic.

The first flights are scheduled in three years, and his company, Virgin Galactic, has already collected more than $10 million from future passengers.

Maybe a private organization could do it (like Virgin Galactic?)

To learn more about Virgin Galactic and space tourism, take a look at the links on the next page.

But the dream could become a reality for more people as a new space liner called Virgin Galactic sets up shop.