Virgin Galactic's Richard Branson touches edge of space in historic first flight - see pics

Virgin Group's 70-year-old British Founder Richard Branson soared more than 50 miles above the New Mexico desert aboard his Virgin Galactic rocket plane and safely returned in the vehicle's first fully crewed test flight to space, a symbolic milestone for a venture he started 17 years ago. Credit: AFP Photo

Virgin Galactic's passenger rocket plane VSS Unity, borne by twin-fuselage carrier jet dubbed VMS Eve, took off to the edge of space at Spaceport America. Credit: Reuters Photo

The gleaming white spaceplane was carried aloft attached to the underside of the dual-fuselage jet VMS Eve (named for Branson's late mother) in a takeoff from Spaceport America, a state-owned facility near the town of Truth or Consequences. Credit: Reuters Photo

Reaching its high-altitude launch point at about 46,000 feet, the VSS Unity passenger rocket plane was released from the mothership and fell away as the crew ignited its rocket, sending it streaking straight upward at supersonic speed to the blackness of space some 53 miles (86 km) high. Credit: Reuters Photo

The spaceplane's contrail was clearly visible from the ground as it soared through the upper atmosphere, to the cheers of the crowd below. Credit: Reuters Photo

Richard became the first billionaire with his own space company to travel to space. Credit: Reuters Photo

Branson overtook Jeff Bezos and achieved this milestone nine days before. Bezos is all set to fly to space on July 20. Credit: AFP Photo

Richard Branson arrives by bicycle to Spaceport America. Credit: Reuters Photo

Virgin Galactic's chief astronaut instructor Beth Moses embraces Richard Branson and other crew as he arrives at Spaceport America. Credit: Reuters Photo

Richard Branson floats in zero gravity on board Virgin Galactic's passenger rocket plane VSS Unity after reaching the edge of space. Credit: Virgin Galactic/Handout via Reuters

Billionaire Richard Branson makes a statement as crew members Beth Moses and Sirisha Bandla float in zero gravity on board Virgin Galactic's passenger rocket plane VSS Unity after reaching the edge of space. Credit: Virgin Galactic/Handout via Reuters

Back at a celebration with supporters from a stage outside Virgin Galactic's Gateway to Space complex at the spaceport, he and crewmates doused one another with champagne. Credit: AP Photo

Richard Branson sprays champagne after flying with a crew in Virgin Galactic's passenger rocket plane VSS Unity. Credit: Reuters Photo

Retired Canadian astronaut Chris Hadfield pinned Virgin-produced astronaut wings onto the blue flight suits worn by Branson and his team. Official wing pins from the Federal Aviation Administration will be presented later, a company spokesman said. Credit: Reuters Photo

Astronaut Chris Hadfield holds wings before presenting to crew members. Credit: AFP Photo

Richard Branson looks out the window at Earth in zero gravity on board Virgin Galactic's passenger rocket plane VSS Unity after reaching the edge of space above Spaceport America near Truth or Consequences, New Mexico. Credit: Virgin Galactic/Handout via Reuters Photo