Recently, the Virgin Empire, headed by Richard Branson, made the first steps to commercial flights into space. Richard Branson, the owner of the Virgin Empire, financially backed by Paul Allen (owner of the Seatle Sea Hawks and Portland Trailblazers) made an announcement in September to the world's media that Virgin Galactic was ready to begin a program that would result in the world's first affordale space flight in a few years. After a few test flighs, on the 4th of October, 2004, Spaceshipone, Virgin's sponsored spacecraft, successfully flew 360,000 feet above the earth.
     The craft was designed and built by Burt Rutan. it was made to withstand a flight into the atmosphere without heating up. Spaceshipone is carried underneath a larger ship called White Knight. At 47,000 feet, the engine on Spaceshipone is ignited and breaks away from White Knight. The engine on Spaceship one is specially designed to put out minimal pollution in the atmosphere. Upon reentry, the craft is flipped over so the tail is facing upward to reduce speed. Pioneered on the craft was a new propulsion system and an airborne launch platform (White Knight)
     Since the first flight of the craft, there have been many other successful extra-terrestial trips. It won't be long til the average (and rich) American will be able to make trips into space. 
     For more info and further updates on Virgin Galactic, see