Second SpaceShipTwo performs first glide flight

Virgin Galactic's second SpaceShipTwo performed its first free flight Dec. 3, a glide test that begins the next phase in testing of the spaceplane.

Commercial space tourism moves closer to reality as Virgin Galactic gets FAA licence

Richard Branson's dream of commercial space tourism is a step closer to reality. His Virgin Galactic company has been granted an operating licence by US aviation officials to fly passengers to the point of weightlessness.