KEY POINTS:
Four amateur New Zealand astronauts are among those who will travel on one of the world's first commercial flights into space.
Jackie Maw, Mark Rocket, Makouri Scott and Ron Stroeven met for the first time yesterday to discuss the details of their voyage, a product of Sir Richard Branson's space holiday business Virgin Galactic, The Press reported.
The four, who each purchased a US$200,000 ($313,074) ticket and have already visited the National Training and Aerospace Research Centre in Philadelphia for training to prepare them for the G-forces of space launch, could blast off as early as next year.
The White Knight Two will shuttle the astronauts in Space Ship Two 15,240m into suborbital space, and from there it will leave Earth's atmosphere. Ms Maw, a Christchurch real estate consultant, bought her ticket two years ago when she heard of the venture while living in London.
"I jumped at the chance. I've always had a fascination with space, and with speed. I was always fascinated with the Apollo trips," she said.
"I feel incredibly privileged. It's a humbling experience."
House of Travel consultant Ian Collier said the response from New Zealanders had been overwhelming.
"New Zealand...has the highest ratio of Virgin Galactic astronauts worldwide by head of population. Four from 4 million."
- NZPA
