《Space-tourism enters 'home stretch' toward commercial flight》 - 免费有声读物

Branson described a vision of hotels in space and a network of spaceports allowing supersonic, transcontinental travel anywhere on earth within a few hours. He indicated, however, that building financial viability comes first. Billionaire Richard Branson is moving Virgin Galacticâs space tourism operation from California to New Mexico.Branson said Virgin Galacticâs development and testing program of a winged passenger rocket has advanced enough to make the move to a custom-tailored hangar.The taxpayer-financed Spaceport America facility is near the town of Truth or Consequences.More than 100 employees will also make the move to the remote commercial launch and landing facility.In February, a new version of the company's SpaceShipTwo soared at three times the speed of sound to an altitude of nearly 56 miles in a test flight.