Virgin Galactic has signed a landmark deal with the US Federal Aviation Authority (FAA), which will allow it to charter space flights from its base in the US state of New Mexico.
The agreement outlines how the FAA’s air control centre and the state’s Spaceport Authority, will work together with Virgin Atlantic to make sure there is safe airspace for Virgin Galactic’s space plan, the SpaceShip Two.
Virgin Galactic, which is co-owned by Richard Branson and Abu Dhabi's Aabar Investments, also has agreements with the US state of California to allow test flights.
In a statement, Virgin Galactic said the deal brings it "another step closer" to commercial space flights.