On Tuesday at the world’s largest private air show, the EAA Airventure 2009 in Oshkosh, Wisconsin, I took my first flight in the mothership which will launch Virgin Galactic’s space tourism and science customers into space.

The space launch vehicle known as VMS Eve is a unique twin hull all carbon composite aviation vehicle designed to launch SpaceShipTwo above heights of 50,000ft and I was on board to witness first hand the incredible flying qualities of the aircraft piloted by Pete Siebold and Clint Nichols.

We hope that that VMS Eve will make its first “captive carry” flight with SpaceShipTwo attached by the end of 2009.

This has been one of the most incredible experiences of my life. It’s a beautiful aircraft to fly and its incredibly light carbon construction and efficient design points the way to a much brighter future for commercial aviation as well as the industrial revolution in space which I believe our entire space launch system heralds.

For more info visit www.virgingalactic.com