NASA charters a flight from Virgin Galactic's spaceport

Spaceport America - PA

NASA has booked a charter suborbital flight from Virgin Galactic's spaceport operations in southern New Mexico.

The contract which is worth US$2.84 million includes options for two additional flights and allows for up to 1,300lbs of scientific experiments.

Virgin Galactic hopes to launch its first flight within the next year from Spaceport America, about 50 miles north of Las Cruces, says the Express.

The operation, which is owned by Sir Richard Branson's Virgin Group and Aabar Investments PJS, is on track to be the world's first commercial spaceline.

Earlier this week, Virgin Galactic hired former Nasa executive Michael Moses as vice president of operations.