Virgin crash sets back space tourism by years

A file photo of WhiteKnightTwo. Photo: AFP, AP

The deadly crash of Virgin Galactic's spacecraft has dealt a devastating setback to the cause of space tourism, delaying the first commercial flights to the stars by years, experts said.

After several delays, Virgin Galactic had hoped to start ferrying passengers to the edge of space in 2015, ushering in a new era of tourism for those willing and wealthy enough to pay up to $250,000 for the privilege.

The twin-hulled airplane which carries the main vessel to 45,00ft before dropping it to make the sub-orbital space flight by itself. Photo: AFP, AP

But the pioneering dreams of British tycoon Richard Branson were left scattered across California's Mojave Desert on Friday after the disaster that claimed Virgin Galactic's SpaceShipTwo and the life of one of its pilots.

"Space is hard -- but worth it. We will persevere and move forward together," he vowed after the tragedy.

The Virgin Galactic SpaceShipTwo plane, left, is seen above moments after it detatched from WhiteKnightTwo. Photo: AFP, AP

"You are not going to see any commercial space tourism flight next year or probably several years after that," said Marco Caceres, a senior space analyst and director of space studies for the Teal Group, a Washington-based defense and aerospace consultancy.

A picture as the plane explodes. Photo: AFP, AP

Virgin Galactic had already lined up 650 customers for its first flights on the craft, including a slew of celebrities.

The fact that the accident came just days after a private rocket destined to take supplies to the International Space Station exploded shortly after take-off in Virginia on Tuesday will also likely hurt the space tourism industry.

Experts said Virgin Galactic will now need to carry out a far greater number of tests before commercial flights could become a possibility.

A television images showing the wreckage of the space craft in Mojave desert of Los Angeles. Photo: AFP, AP

Branson had vowed to be on the first flight next year along with his son.

Stars such as Leonardo DiCaprio and Ashton Kutcher had been among those reportedly planning to take Virgin Galactic's first wave of flights.