A MAJOR MILESTONE IS REACHED IN THE SPACE TOURISM BUSINESS IN NEW MEXICO. VIRGIN GALACTIC'S PASSENGER SPACESHIP MADE ITS FIRST POWERED FLIGHT THIS WEEK. SPACEPORT EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR CHRIS ANDERSON SAYS IT HAPPENED EARLY MONDAY MORNING OVER THE MOJAVE DESERT IN CALIFORNIA. THE CRAFT WAS RELEASED FROM IT'S JET-POWERED MOTHERSHIP AND FIRED IT'S ROCKETS FOR 16 SECONDS, REACHING AN ALTITUDE OF 55-THOUSAND FEET.
SO FAR, 575 PEOPLE HAVE LINED UP FOR THE SPACEFLIGHTS FROM NEW MEXICO'S SPACEPORT.
