The flight, dubbed “Galactic 01,” is a scientific research mission, and will carry scientists from the National Research Council of Italy and the Italian Air Force to conduct microgravity research.

The second commercial spaceflight, “Galactic 02” — which is for “private astronauts” — is planned to take place in early August, with monthly commercial flights expecting to fly thereafter.

“We are launching the first commercial space line for Earth with two dynamic products — our scientific research and private astronomy space missions,” said CEO Michael Colglazier on the announcement of the commercial spaceflight service.

“This next exciting chapter for Virgin Galactic has been driven by innovation, determination and a commitment to delivering an unparalleled and truly transformative customer experience.”

A Long Time Coming

The lead up to Galactic’s first commercial spaceflights has been a longtime coming — nearly 20 years, in fact. In 2004, Branson founded Virgin Galactic, with the company aiming to get customers, or “astronauts,” up to the edge of space by 2007.

Delays and disasters — including a fatal accident during testing of its SpaceShipTwo plane — have pushed back efforts to launch commercial spaceflights properly time and time again. In May this year, its latest test mission, “Unity 25,” which carried a crew around 54 miles above the Earth, was dubbed a success.

In a bid to become astronauts themselves, customers have agreed to pay up to $450,000 (£353K~) for a ticket to board Galactic’s spaceflights. On top of a reservation for the trip, Galactic’s website states that customers will experience a multi-day training and preparation retreat at Spaceport America, bespoke flightwear, an astronaut insignia, and photographs and videos, among other additions.

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In the Wake of Orbit

Just last month, another of Branson’s space-oriented companies, Virgin Orbit, was in the news as it was announced that it was selling its assets and permanently ceasing operations.

The company, which launched satellite-containing rockets from beneath modified Boeing 747s, had been stumbling since a prominent mission failure in January this year.

The mission in question, which took place from Spaceport Cornwall, represented the first time a satellite space mission had been launched from UK soil — but the rocket carrying the satellites couldn’t reach orbit due to a technical “anomaly.”

Afterwards, the company experienced a furlough period, followed by major staff reductions, and an announcement of bankruptcy.

Regarding the longevity of Galactic, Laura Forczyk, a space industry analyst and founder of the consultancy company Astralytical, said the following to Popular Science: “I do not have high hopes for Virgin Galactic’s long-term stability due to their excruciatingly slow pace to become operational, their high company expenses, and their mixed safety track record.”

“I don’t think that their revenues are going to be able to catch up with their expenses unless there is a significant change in operations.”