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Virgin Galactic’s Branson returns safely to Earth, says he got best wishes from Musk and Bezos

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British billionaire Richard Branson on Sunday soared more than 80 kilometres above the New Mexico desert aboard his Virgin Galactic rocket plane and safely returned in the vehicle's first fully crewed test flight to space, a symbolic milestone for a venture he started 17 years ago.

"I was once a kid with a dream, looking up to the stars," Branson told a news conference.

Branson, one of six Virgin Galactic Holding Inc employees strapped in for the ride, has touted the mission as a precursor to a new era of space tourism, with the company he founded in 2004 poised to begin commercial operations next year.

The success of the flight also gave the flamboyant entrepreneur bragging rights in a highly publicized rivalry with fellow billionaire Jeff Bezos, the Amazon online retail mogul who had hoped to fly into space first aboard his own space company's rocket.

"Congratulations on the flight," Bezos said on Instagram. "Can't wait to join the club!"

Space industry executives, future customers and other well-wishers were on hand for a festive gathering to witness the launch, which was livestreamed in a presentation hosted by late-night television comedian Stephen Colbert. Among those present was fellow billionaire and space industry pioneer Elon Musk, who also is founder of electric carmaker Tesla Inc .

Several hundred wealthy would-be citizen astronauts have already booked reservations, priced at around $250,000 per ticket.

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global news, richard branson goes to space, richard branson flies to space
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