Virgin Galactic's passenger rocket plane VSS Unity, carrying billionaire entrepreneur Richard Branson and his crew, begins its ascent to the edge of space above Spaceport America near Truth or Consequences, New Mexico, U.S., July 11, 2021. REUTERS/Joe Skipper 

Billionaire entrepreneur Richard Branson celebrates with crew members Sirisha Bandla, Beth Moses and Colin Bennett after flying Virgin Galactic's passenger rocket plane VSS Unity to the edge of space at Spaceport America near Truth or Consequences, New Mexico, U.S., July 11, 2021. REUTERS/Joe Skipper 

Virgin Galactic's passenger rocket plane VSS Unity, carrying billionaire entrepreneur Richard Branson and his crew, begins its ascent to the edge of space above Spaceport America near Truth or Consequences, New Mexico, U.S., July 11, 2021. REUTERS/Joe Skipper 

Virgin Galactic's passenger rocket plane VSS Unity, carrying billionaire entrepreneur Richard Branson and his crew, begins its ascent to the edge of space above Spaceport America near Truth or Consequences, New Mexico, U.S., July 11, 2021. REUTERS/Joe Skipper 

Virgin Galactic's passenger rocket plane VSS Unity is towed to the hangar after billionaire entrepreneur Richard Branson and his crew, reached the edge of space, at Spaceport America near Truth or Consequences, New Mexico, U.S., July 11, 2021. REUTERS/Joe Skipper 

Billionaire entrepreneur Richard Branson wears his astronaut's wings at a news conference, after flying with a crew in Virgin Galactic's passenger rocket plane VSS Unity to the edge of space at Spaceport America near Truth or Consequences, New Mexico, U.S., July 11, 2021. REUTERS/Joe Skipper 

Billionaire entrepreneur Richard Branson wears his astronaut's wings at a news conference, after flying with a crew in Virgin Galactic's passenger rocket plane VSS Unity to the edge of space at Spaceport America near Truth or Consequences, New Mexico, U.S., July 11, 2021. REUTERS/Joe Skipper 

Billionaire entrepreneur Richard Branson wears his astronaut's wings at a news conference, after flying with a crew in Virgin Galactic's passenger rocket plane VSS Unity to the edge of space at Spaceport America near Truth or Consequences, New Mexico, U.S., July 11, 2021. REUTERS/Joe Skipper 

Billionaire entrepreneur Richard Branson speaks at a news conference, after flying with a crew in Virgin Galactic's passenger rocket plane VSS Unity to the edge of space at Spaceport America near Truth or Consequences, New Mexico, U.S., July 11, 2021. REUTERS/Joe Skipper 

Canadian astronaut Chris Hadfield pins astronaut wings onto the flight suit of billionaire entrepreneur Richard Branson, after he flew with a crew in Virgin Galactic's passenger rocket plane VSS Unity to the edge of space at Spaceport America near Truth or Consequences, New Mexico, U.S., July 11, 2021. REUTERS/Joe Skipper 

Billionaire entrepreneur Richard Branson speaks alongside the crew after flying Virgin Galactic's passenger rocket plane VSS Unity to the edge of space at Spaceport America near Truth or Consequences, New Mexico, U.S., July 11, 2021. REUTERS/Joe Skipper 

Canadian astronaut Chris Hadfield holds astronaut wings before awarding them to the crew, including Richard Branson, who flew in Virgin Galactic's passenger rocket plane VSS Unity to the edge of space at Spaceport America near Truth or Consequences, New Mexico, U.S., July 11, 2021. REUTERS/Joe Skipper 

Billionaire entrepreneur Richard Branson prepares to spray champagne after flying with a crew in Virgin Galactic's passenger rocket plane VSS Unity to the edge of space at Spaceport America near Truth or Consequences, New Mexico, U.S., July 11, 2021. REUTERS/Joe Skipper 

Billionaire entrepreneur Richard Branson reacts from sprayed champagne after flying with a crew in Virgin Galactic's passenger rocket plane VSS Unity to the edge of space at Spaceport America near Truth or Consequences, New Mexico, U.S., July 11, 2021. REUTERS/Joe Skipper 

Billionaire entrepreneur Richard Branson reacts after being introduced as an astronaut by Canadian astronaut Chris Hadfield, after flying with a crew in Virgin Galactic's passenger rocket plane VSS Unity to the edge of space at Spaceport America near Truth or Consequences, New Mexico, U.S., July 11, 2021. REUTERS/Joe Skipper 

Billionaire entrepreneur Richard Branson is introduced as an astronaut by Canadian astronaut Chris Hadfield, after flying with a crew in Virgin Galactic's passenger rocket plane VSS Unity to the edge of space at Spaceport America near Truth or Consequences, New Mexico, U.S., July 11, 2021. REUTERS/Joe Skipper 

Billionaire entrepreneur Richard Branson sprays the crew with champagne after they were announced as astronauts for flying Virgin Galactic's passenger rocket plane VSS Unity to the edge of space at Spaceport America near Truth or Consequences, New Mexico, U.S., July 11, 2021. REUTERS/Joe Skipper 

Virgin Galactic's passenger rocket plane VSS Unity, carrying billionaire entrepreneur Richard Branson and his crew, begins its ascent to the edge of space above Spaceport America near Truth or Consequences, New Mexico, U.S., July 11, 2021. REUTERS/Joe Skipper 

Virgin Galactic's passenger rocket plane VSS Unity, carrying billionaire entrepreneur Richard Branson and his crew, begins its ascent to the edge of space above Spaceport America near Truth or Consequences, New Mexico, U.S., July 11, 2021. REUTERS/Joe Skipper 

Virgin Galactic's passenger rocket plane VSS Unity, carrying billionaire entrepreneur Richard Branson and his crew, begins its ascent to the edge of space above Spaceport America near Truth or Consequences, New Mexico, U.S., July 11, 2021. REUTERS/Joe Skipper 

Virgin Galactic's passenger rocket plane VSS Unity, carrying billionaire entrepreneur Richard Branson and his crew, begins its ascent to the edge of space above Spaceport America near Truth or Consequences, New Mexico, U.S., July 11, 2021. REUTERS/Joe Skipper 

Virgin Galactic's passenger rocket plane VSS Unity, carrying billionaire entrepreneur Richard Branson and his crew, begins its ascent to the edge of space above Spaceport America near Truth or Consequences, New Mexico, U.S., July 11, 2021. REUTERS/Joe Skipper 

Virgin Galactic's passenger rocket plane VSS Unity, carrying billionaire entrepreneur Richard Branson and his crew, descends after reaching the edge of space above Spaceport America near Truth or Consequences, New Mexico, U.S., July 11, 2021. REUTERS/Joe Skipper 

Virgin Galactic's passenger rocket plane VSS Unity, carrying billionaire entrepreneur Richard Branson and his crew, lands after reaching the edge of space above Spaceport America near Truth or Consequences, New Mexico, U.S., July 11, 2021. REUTERS/Joe Skipper 

Virgin Galactic's passenger rocket plane VSS Unity, carrying billionaire entrepreneur Richard Branson and his crew, descends after reaching the edge of space above Spaceport America near Truth or Consequences, New Mexico, U.S., July 11, 2021. REUTERS/Joe Skipper 

Virgin Galactic's passenger rocket plane VSS Unity, carrying billionaire entrepreneur Richard Branson and his crew, descends after reaching the edge of space above Spaceport America near Truth or Consequences, New Mexico, U.S., July 11, 2021. REUTERS/Joe Skipper 

Virgin Galactic's passenger rocket plane VSS Unity, borne by twin-fuselage carrier jet dubbed VMS Eve, takes off with billionaire entrepreneur Richard Branson and his crew for travel to the edge of space at Spaceport America near Truth or Consequences, New Mexico, U.S., July 11, 2021. REUTERS/Joe Skipper 

Virgin Galactic's passenger rocket plane VSS Unity, borne by twin-fuselage carrier jet dubbed VMS Eve, takes off with billionaire entrepreneur Richard Branson and his crew for travel to the edge of space at Spaceport America near Truth or Consequences, New Mexico, U.S., July 11, 2021. REUTERS/Joe Skipper 

Virgin Galactic's passenger rocket plane VSS Unity, borne by twin-fuselage carrier jet dubbed VMS Eve, takes off with billionaire entrepreneur Richard Branson and his crew for travel to the edge of space at Spaceport America near Truth or Consequences, New Mexico, U.S., July 11, 2021. REUTERS/Joe Skipper 

Virgin Galactic's passenger rocket plane VSS Unity, borne by twin-fuselage carrier jet dubbed VMS Eve, takes off with billionaire entrepreneur Richard Branson and his crew for travel to the edge of space at Spaceport America near Truth or Consequences, New Mexico, U.S., July 11, 2021. REUTERS/Joe Skipper TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY 

Michael Masucci waves as he departs to pilot the twin-fuselage jet dubbed VMS Eve, carrier aircraft for the crew and billionaire entrepreneur Richard Branson flying Virgin Galactic's passenger rocket plane VSS Unity, near Truth or Consequences, New Mexico, U.S., July 11, 2021. REUTERS/Joe Skipper 

Billionaire entrepreneur Richard Branson departs with his crew prior to boarding, for travel to the edge of space in Virgin Galactic's passenger rocket plane VSS Unity, near Truth or Consequences, New Mexico, U.S., July 11, 2021. REUTERS/Joe Skipper 

Billionaire entrepreneur Richard Branson departs with his crew prior to boarding, for travel to the edge of space in Virgin Galactic's passenger rocket plane VSS Unity, near Truth or Consequences, New Mexico, U.S., July 11, 2021. REUTERS/Joe Skipper 

Billionaire entrepreneur Richard Branson departs with his crew prior to boarding, for travel to the edge of space in Virgin Galactic's passenger rocket plane VSS Unity, near Truth or Consequences, New Mexico, U.S., July 11, 2021. REUTERS/Joe Skipper 

Billionaire entrepreneur Richard Branson departs with his crew prior to boarding, for travel to the edge of space in Virgin Galactic's passenger rocket plane VSS Unity, near Truth or Consequences, New Mexico, U.S., July 11, 2021. REUTERS/Joe Skipper 

Billionaire entrepreneur Richard Branson departs with his crew prior to boarding, for travel to the edge of space in Virgin Galactic's passenger rocket plane VSS Unity, near Truth or Consequences, New Mexico, U.S., July 11, 2021. REUTERS/Joe Skipper 

Billionaire entrepreneur Richard Branson departs with his crew prior to boarding, for travel to the edge of space in Virgin Galactic's passenger rocket plane VSS Unity, near Truth or Consequences, New Mexico, U.S., July 11, 2021. REUTERS/Joe Skipper 

Billionaire entrepreneur Richard Branson departs with his crew prior to boarding, for travel to the edge of space in Virgin Galactic's passenger rocket plane VSS Unity, near Truth or Consequences, New Mexico, U.S., July 11, 2021. REUTERS/Joe Skipper 

Billionaire entrepreneur Richard Branson departs with his crew prior to boarding, for travel to the edge of space in Virgin Galactic's passenger rocket plane VSS Unity, near Truth or Consequences, New Mexico, U.S., July 11, 2021. REUTERS/Joe Skipper 

Virgin Galactic's passenger rocket plane VSS Unity, borne by twin-fuselage carrier jet dubbed VMS Eve, is parked before billionaire entrepreneur Richard Branson departs with his crew for travel to the edge of space at Spaceport America near Truth or Consequences, New Mexico, U.S., July 11, 2021. REUTERS/Joe Skipper 

Guests assemble before billionaire entrepreneur Richard Branson departs with his crew for travel to the edge of space in Virgin Galactic's passenger rocket plane VSS Unity, near Truth or Consequences, New Mexico, U.S., July 11, 2021. REUTERS/Joe Skipper 

Guests assemble before billionaire entrepreneur Richard Branson departs with his crew for travel to the edge of space in Virgin Galactic's passenger rocket plane VSS Unity, near Truth or Consequences, New Mexico, U.S., July 11, 2021. REUTERS/Joe Skipper 

Guests assemble before billionaire entrepreneur Richard Branson departs with his crew for travel to the edge of space in Virgin Galactic's passenger rocket plane VSS Unity, near Truth or Consequences, New Mexico, U.S., July 11, 2021. REUTERS/Joe Skipper 

Guests assemble before billionaire entrepreneur Richard Branson departs with his crew for travel to the edge of space in Virgin Galactic's passenger rocket plane VSS Unity, near Truth or Consequences, New Mexico, U.S., July 11, 2021. REUTERS/Joe Skipper 

Virgin Galactic's passenger rocket plane VSS Unity, borne by twin-fuselage carrier jet dubbed VMS Eve, is parked before billionaire entrepreneur Richard Branson departs with his crew for travel to the edge of space at Spaceport America near Truth or Consequences, New Mexico, U.S., July 11, 2021. REUTERS/Joe Skipper 

A 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, U.S. July 10, 2021. REUTERS/Joe Skipper 

An obscured view shows 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, U.S. July 10, 2021. REUTERS/Joe Skipper 

The rear of the Virgin Galactic hangar complex is shown 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, U.S. July 10, 2021. REUTERS/Joe Skipper 

Emergency vehicles are shown in the Operations Center of Spaceport America 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, U.S. July 10, 2021. REUTERS/Joe Skipper 

Alice Carruth, Public Relations Coordinator for Spaceport America, describes emergency vehicles in the Operations Center, 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, U.S. July 10, 2021. REUTERS/Joe Skipper 

Alice Carruth, Public Relations Coordinator for Spaceport America, stands in the control room of the Operations Center looking towards the runway, 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, U.S. July 10, 2021. REUTERS/Joe Skipper 

The Operations Center of Spaceport America is shown 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, U.S. July 10, 2021. REUTERS/Joe Skipper 

Alice Carruth, Public Relations Coordinator for Spaceport America, stands in the control room of the Operations Center, 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, U.S. July 10, 2021. REUTERS/Joe Skipper 

The Operations Center of Spaceport America is shown 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, U.S. July 10, 2021. REUTERS/Joe Skipper 

A view of Richard Branson's Virgin Orbit, with a rocket underneath the wing of a modified Boeing 747 jetliner, during test launch of its high-altitude launch system for satellites from Mojave, California, U.S. January 17, 2021. REUTERS/Gene Blevins 

A view of Richard Branson's Virgin Orbit, with a rocket underneath the wing of a modified Boeing 747 jetliner, during test launch of its high-altitude launch system for satellites from Mojave, California, U.S. January 17, 2021. REUTERS/Gene Blevins 

A view of Richard Branson's Virgin Orbit, with a rocket underneath the wing of a modified Boeing 747 jetliner, during test launch of its high-altitude launch system for satellites from Mojave, California, U.S. January 17, 2021. REUTERS/Gene Blevins 

A view of Richard Branson's Virgin Orbit, with a rocket underneath the wing of a modified Boeing 747 jetliner, during test launch of its high-altitude launch system for satellites from Mojave, California, U.S. January 17, 2021. REUTERS/Gene Blevins 

A view of Richard Branson's Virgin Orbit, with a rocket underneath the wing of a modified Boeing 747 jetliner, during test launch of its high-altitude launch system for satellites from Mojave, California, U.S. January 17, 2021. REUTERS/Gene Blevins