Branson unveils private spaceship model, first tourist flights in 2008

New York: British entrepreneur Richard Branson on Thursday unveiled an interior mock-up of the suborbital spaceship that his company plans to use to take paying passengers into space.

The full-size model of the interior of SpaceShipTwo was shown during a technology show in New York. The spaceship, to be operated by Virgin Galactic, will hold six passengers and two pilots.

The mock-up featured a spacious cabin with reclining seats and large portholes. The interior is designed to give passengers room to float around. A flight, including about five minutes of weightlessness, will cost each passenger $2,00,000. Story and photo