It appears that we are now having 2013 as a much more credible date for space flights.
Stephen Attenborough, commercial director at Virgin Galactic, said that the company will be taking customers into space in about 2 years, if all tests go well. According to a report published by the BBC, Virgin Galactic founder Sir Richard Branson had originally hoped to launch into space by 2007 and apparently 500 people have bought tickets for $200,000 a piece so far.
Attenborough, however, cautioned against considering 2013 a fixed date just yet. He said that the launch into space cannot have a fixed date as the carrier won't compromise on safety. He denied claims that the space flight program is delayed.
"Our foot is flat on the gas, we have proven technology, we have a spaceport that opened last week, and the test flight programme is well advanced - I don't think you can ask for a lot more from a programme like this," he told the BBC. "A delay is [a] strange word, and there is no delay."