NBC morning talk show ‘TODAY’ will televise the first commercial space flight carrying Sir Richard Branson and his two adult children.
The Virgin Galactic founder made the announcement Friday – detailing an agreement that will track the development of the SpaceShipTwo rocket plane on television and climax with a flight that will put the billionaire and his offspring Sam Branson, 28, and Holly Branson, 31, into outerspace.
If all goes according to plan, the inaugural space flight will leave New Mexico’s Spaceport America in August 2014. The plane, currently undergoing flight tests at California’s Mojave Air and Space Port, is designed for two pilots and six passengers.
According the Sir Richard, 640 customers have already paid $250,000 for a seat on a future flight. Among the list of deep-pocketed customers includes Ashton Kutcher, Charlize Theron, Katy Perry, Justin Bieber, Lance Bass, Angelina Jolie and Lady Gaga.
Branson, 63, said in a statement, “Virgin Galactic is thrilled that NBCUniversal will join us on our exciting first journey to space. In this first chapter of commercial space travel, we will help make space accessible and inspire countless more people to join us in the pursuit of space exploration and science innovation.”
NBC negotiated a deal that will give them the exclusive right to air a live three-hour television event hosted by Matt Lauer and Savannah Guthrie.
Photo: Twitter-Sam Branson