Space: The Final (Commercial) Frontier

Richard Branson and his Virgin companies have always pushed the limits no matter what industry they have chosen to enter. From records to airlines the group has continued to hallmark cutting edge and ingenuity. Take for example the past season in Formula One where Virgin got involved with Brawn GP, a rookie team that was literally starting from scratch. They had nothing with them at the start of the season save for high hopes but after some early successes it became apparent that the team was destined for great things. So after a few races, Richard Branson and Virgin became a sponsor for the team and eventually the team went on to win the championship (for both driver and constructor). Now I'm not saying that Branson was the reason for it, but he certainly hasn't been wrong when he's attempted to hit 'the next big thing'.

I remember flying Virgin Atlantic a few years back and all I kept thinking was that I was seated in the wrong class. Touch screens in every seat and roomy seats to boot. Decent service and eclectic style (which often typefies Virgin endeavours), Virgin Atlantic set the trend that many airlines have sought to mimic and surpass. But the fact remains that Branson was the first to go through with it. In an age where air travel has become akin to riding a bus but with more hassle and less enjoyment, it was a joy to fly Virgin America. With their mood lighting and top notch service they have made domestic air travel in this country a little more enjoyable than it had been for a very long time. Now he's at it again.

Virgin Galactic, the company that Branson started to fly flights into edge of space (and back again) unveiled SpaceShipTwo this past week in New Mexico. Dubbed the New Mexico Spaceport the spaceplane, named Virgin Space Ship (VSS) Enterprise (after the starship of "Star Trek" fame) hopes to begin making regular trips into sub-orbital space within a few years. Tickets to the maiden flight have already been sold for tens of thousands of dollars and the the amazing thing about it? The VSS Enterprise hasn't even flown yet. Although tests are forthcoming (and are expected to be successful), permitting and licensing are to follow but what it again proves is that Branson is looking to become a pioneer in a business that will undoubtedly pick up within a few years.

Don't believe me? Well think about it. When commercial aviation began it was truly a unique experience and it was something that not everyone could experience. Within a few years, as with any market, as options grew, prices came down and it became much more affordable. But why look at something that's been around for nearly a century now? Look at LCD and Plasma HDTVs. When they first came out you needed to mortgage your house (again) to be able to afford one but now it's almost to the point that you can get a decent sized one for the same price as filling up your average sized SUV for the week. But what it takes is for someone to prove that it's a viable industry, product or service. For now, flights on the VSS Enterprise may only be something people who shop in the Neiman Marcus Christmas Catalogue can afford but within a few years I wouldn't be surprised if we start seeing similar lights launch from airports around the world. And why not? I'd rather spend more to reach my destination in less time (with a little bit of weightlessness to boot) than I would travelling nearly 24 hours to get to another part of the world. Richard Branson and the Virgin Group will be a major component in making that 'fantasy' a reality.