Sir Richard Branson declares ‘dawn of new space age’ after blasting off on historic space mission despite storm delays

SIR Richard Branson has declared “the dawn of a new space age” after successfully blasting off on a groundbreaking space mission.

The 70-year-old made history by beating Elon Musk to become the first billionaire in space, before safely returning to earth in his Virgin Galactic rocket plane.

Read our Richard Branson space flight live blog for the latest updates…

ReutersBillionaire Richard Branson smiles on boar VSS Unity before starting its untethered ascent to the edge of space[/caption]

ReutersVirgin Galactic’s passenger rocket plane VSS Unity, carrying billionaire Richard Branson and crew, starts its ascent to the edge of space above Spaceport America[/caption]

ReutersSir Richard and crew are seen on board Virgin Galactic’s passenger rocket plane VSS Unity before starting their untethered ascent to the edge of space[/caption]

AFPSir Richard Branson takes off from a base in New Mexico aboard a Virgin Galactic vessel bound for the edge of space[/caption]

The British entrepreneur described the hour-long space flight as “the experience of a lifetime”.

Sir Richard later tweeted: “Welcome to the dawn of a new space age #Unity22.”

It’s believed he and his crew reached heights of 53 miles during today’s mission to the edge of space.

They completed a runway landing just 20 minutes after the craft detached.

He had been due to set off first thing this morning in the New Mexico desert, but a tropical storm delayed his lift-off.

‘EXPERIENCE OF A LIFETIME’

During the trip, Sir Richard experienced weightlessness for several minutes re-entering the earth’s atmosphere.

Sir Richard was earlier seen striding out in his blue spacesuit with three other Virgin execs and their two pilots – including British ex-RAF airman Dave Mackay – earlier today.

Branson – known as ‘Astronaut 001’ – then clambered aboard Virgin Space Ship Unity, a 62ft rocket-powered space plane nestled between the twin hulls of Mother Ship Eve.

The VSS Unity soared to 50,000ft, led by a specially designed massive mothership, known as Eve, or WhiteKnightTwo.

After detaching from the spaceship, Unity fired up its hybrid rocket engine and soared into space.

Eve had taken off along a 2.4mile runway before VSS Unity detached and ignited its engine.

ReutersVirgin Galactic’s passenger rocket plane VSS Unity, borne by twin-fuselage carrier jet dubbed VMS Eve, takes off[/caption]

AFPHe was pictured arriving at a base in Las Cruces, New Mexico today[/caption]

AFPThe billionaire was all smiles as he got ready for lift off[/caption]

Hitting speeds of up to 2,300 miles per hour – three-and-a-half times the speed of sound – it blasted to an altitude of about 56 miles, or the edge of space.

Sir Richard had downplayed any potential danger before today’s mission.

“We’ve spent 17 years working on this project, with astounding input from nearly 1,000 engineers and brave test pilots,” he told The Telegraph.

“We had an absolutely flawless flight six weeks ago and I expect a flawless flight on Sunday. 

“I’m a pretty fearless person and in this case I’m far more excited than worried. I got the risky adventures over with when I was younger.”

AFPRichard Branson is set to become the first billionaire in space today[/caption]

APFrom left, Chief Pilot Dave Mackay, Lead Operations Engineer Colin Bennett, Chief Astronaut Instructor Beth Moses, Founder of Virgin Galactic Richard Branson, Vice President of Government Affairs and Research Operations Sirisha Bandla and pilot Michael Masucci[/caption]

ReutersRichard Branson and Virgin Galactic crew members enter the company’s passenger rocket plane, the VSS Unity[/caption]

APVirgin Galactic’s Spaceship Unity and Mothership Eve[/caption]

He’s also described his spouse Joan, 73, as “the most understanding wife on Earth” and will take photos of his parents, children Sam and Holly, five grandchildren and friends’ loved ones on board with him.

The 65-minute test flight will see Branson and the crew float around in microgravity for up to five minutes – before a speedy return to earth, where the ship should glide back along the runway.

As they land, there will be a live performance from ‘Young, Dumb & Broke’ singer Khalid.

It comes after a tropical storm delayed Branson’s lift off this morning.

A Virgin Galactic spokesperson earlier told the Sun Online: “Due to weather overnight at Spaceport America, vehicles were delayed leaving the hanger.

“Launch time is now targeted for 8:30AM MT/10:30AM ET/3:30PM BST.”

After landing, Branson and his crew will spend a private moment with their families before attending a press conference to talk about their giant leap.

He will beat his billionaire rival Jeff Bezos – who is set to blast into space in nine days, on the anniversary of the Moon Landing. 

Despite Bezos wishing Branson luck, his Blue Origin space company threw shade at Virgin Galactic on the eve of the voyage – by claiming the Brit was not actually going into space.

Scientists are divided on whether space begins at 50 miles up – which Branson will breach – or 62 miles, which he will not get to.

The 62-mile mark – known as the Karman line – is internationally recognised as the beginning of space, whereas NASA believes that it is anyone going above 50 miles.

Blue Origin wrote that its spacecraft would fly above the Karman line, adding snottily: “None of our astronauts have an asterisk next to their name.”

But Branson’s other billionaire rival, Elon Musk, confirmed he would be attending the Virgin Galactic launch.

ReutersA test pilot lands near the Virgin Galactic hangar complex a day before billionaire entrepreneur Richard Branson travels to the edge of space in the company’s passenger rocket plane VSS Unity, near Truth or Consequences, New Mexico[/caption]

ReutersThe Operations Center of Spaceport America[/caption]