Virgin Galactic, a group within Richard Branson's Virgin Group, has moved a step closer to sending regular (albeit wealthy) citizens into space.
That's because the firm has confirmed that Keith Colmer, a former US Air Force test pilot, will be one of the astronaut pilots to help carry tourists on suborbital space flights. In a statement, Virgin Atlantic confirmed that Mr Colmer will work alongside chief pilot David Mackay to take people into the cosmos.
Mr Colmer boasts combat and test flight experience, while he also has experience in spacecraft operations.
As part of the rigorous application process, he was selected from more than 500 applicants to secure his place on the extraordinary mission.
Confirming the latest appointment for the flight, George Whitesides, Virgin Galactic president and chief executive officer, commented: "Keith brings the kind of tremendous multi-dimensional talent and skill set that we are looking for in our astronaut pilots."
He added: "But equally important to us are his impeccable character and his outstanding record of high caliber performance in highly demanding environments. He sets the bar very high for others to come."
Virgin Galatic explained that Mr Colmer's experience on two combat tours in Iraq and flight testing in the F-16 also supported his application.
The firm can afford to employ the most capable people, of course, as a seat on the first mission will set you back a cool $200,000 per person, in addition to a $20,000 deposit.
The revolutionary idea to send regular citizens into space was first hatched by the Virgin Group in 2004 and as of September this year, as many as 450 people have acquired tickets to fly into outer space.
For their fee the passengers will get to experience a mere six minutes of weightlessness during what will be a two-hour end-to-end flight, Virgin Galactic confirmed.
SpaceShipTwo, the rocket plane charged with taking paying customers into outer space, was unveiled by Sir Richard Branson in December 2009 and was presented to the wider world in the Mojave desert, California.
Sir Richard has confirmed that he intends to run the first flights out of New Mexico. Thereafter, however, Virgin Galactic will be extending operations around the globe.
And although it is almost certain to have rivals, Virgin Atlantic is likely to be the first to market.
Sir Richard Branson has carved out a reputation for being something of a daredevil and has previously sought to break into the world record books by circumnavigating the globe by balloon.
But while those attempts proved fruitless, his company now stands on the cusp of making history by sending regular citizens into outer space.
