Branson to marry a couple off in space

LONDON: Virgin boss Richard Branson is eyeing yet another record -- this time by becoming the first person to wed off a couple in space, on the airline's maiden sub-orbital flight next year.
 
"We have had two bookings involving marriage, one to get married in space and the other for the couple to have their honeymoon in space. It is possible that Richard could obtain a licence to conduct the marriage," a Spokesman for Virgin Galactic was quoted by the 'Daily Mail' as saying.
 
The 58-year-old billionaire showman has already officiated at one wedding on a Virgin Atlantic flight from San Francisco to Las Vegas last year.
 
Though the names of the couple who are to tie the knot in space have not been disclosed, the one who booked in for a honeymoon on the 100,000 pounds-a-ticket maiden flight are Virgin Galactic adviser George Whitesides and his new wife Loretta Hidalgo.
 
The Virgin Galactic space project is progressing at a dramatic rate and customers will take part in the first test flights this summer. So far, 200 people have paid for the sub-space experience.
 
Princess Beatrice, whose partner Dave Clark works in the marketing department of Virgin Galactic, has said she plans to be the first Royal in space. Even wheelchair-bound Professor Stephen Hawking has also paid for trips.
 
"Customers will have a two-hour flight, go up to 70 miles above the Earth and experience amazing views of the planet, G forces and weightlessness after a three-day training programme," the spokesman said.