Virgin Galactic's SpaceShip rocket plane

The first civlian space craft is to be the first of a fleet of six or seven that are expected to be built. One has been dubbed the VSS Enterprise - in a nod to the famous sailing ships of old as well as the fictional starship of the "Star Trek" saga. The first phase of flight testing, is due to begin next year, would involve captive-carry flights during which the rocket plane would ride between White Knight Two's twin cabins so that Scaled's team can check the aerodynamics of the combined crafts. Then there would be drop tests, in which SpaceShipTwo would be released and piloted through a glide back down to Earth. Eventually, the hybrid rocket motor would be added to the mix: SpaceShipTwo would light up its engine in a series of powered flights, climaxing with the full profile for commercial service. SpaceShipTwo would be dropped from WhiteKnightTwo at a height of 60,000 feet, blast off, rise to spaceworthy heights and go supersonic on the way down. 2011 or 2012 is the likeliest time frame for the start of commercial service. Between now and then, SpaceShipTwo is likely to go through scores of tests. The price for a three-day space tour package, including training, is $200,000.