VSS Enterprise, the vessel designed to take passengers on a sub-orbital flight as part of Virgin Galactic's plans for commercial space services, has completed its inaugural flight.

SpaceShipTwo (SS2), which was unveiled by Sir Richard Branson in December 2009 and has been named VSS Enterprise, reached an altitude of 45,000ft (13,716m) during its test flight from Mojave Air and Spaceport in California, US. VSS Enterprise was attached to its WhiteKnightTwo carrier craft - VMS Eve - for the entire duration of the two-hour 54-minute flight and will undergo further testing throughout 2010 and 2011.

According to Virgin Galactic, it has already taken around US$45m (£30m) in deposits for spaceflight reservations, with more than 330 people in line to take advantage of the new service. Mojave-based Scaled Composites is developing both vehicles for Virgin Galactic. Founder Burt Rutan said: "The captive carry flight signifies the start of what we believe will be extremely exciting and successful spaceship flight test programme."

Sir Richard Branson added: "It comes as no surprise that the flight went so well; the Scaled team is uniquely qualified to bring this important and incredible dream to reality." Image: Mark Greenberg