Sir Richard Branson says ‘I’m fearless’ as he prepares to blast off TODAY to become first billionaire in space

SIR Richard Branson is set to claim victory in the billionaire’s space race today – by blasting himself 55 miles above the earth in a rocket ship.

The 70-year-old said he’s “fearless” as he got ready to become the first billionaire in space, using a quarter-of-a-billion-dollar spaceport in the New Mexico desert.

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

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]

At 6.10am local time (1pm UK time) Branson is set to stride out in his blue spacesuit with three other Virgin execs and their two pilots – including British ex-RAF airman Dave Mackay.

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

After a countdown at 7am (2pm UK time), Eve will take off along a 2.4mile runway and fly up to 50,000ft, where VSS Unity detaches and ignites its engine.

It accelerates to 2,300 miles per hour – three-and-a-half times the speed of sound – and blasts to an altitude of about 56 miles, or the edge of space.

But Sir Richard has downplayed any potential danger.

“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.”

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.

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]