Virgin Galactic's SpaceShipTwo Blasted Off Today in First Rocket-Powered Flight

Virgin Galactic has entered the space race currently being held among private companies across the world. The company's SpaceShipTwo rocket blasted off this Monday as it took its first supersonic leap toward outer space.

The spaceship itself is bankrolled by British tycoon Sir Richard Branson, according to The Washington Post. It's the commercial version of the SpaceShipOne, which in 2004 became the first private manned rocket to reach space; there's currently no word as to when the SpaceShipTwo will begin to ferry passengers into orbit.

The launch itself took place around 10:50 a.m. ET, high above California's Mojave Air and Space Port. Spectators watched as SpaceShipTwo was dropped from the WhiteKnightTwo carrier airplane at an altitude of around 50,000 feet. Then, the rocket plane glided clear of the mother ship and rocketed upward into the sky for a 16-second blast. After the engine cut off, the spaceship coasted back to its landing point at the Mojave airport, according to NBC News.

Yet while the testing went well, the spaceship also did something else that's noteworthy. SpaceShipTwo actually exceeded the speed of sound during its flight. Eventually, Virgin Galactic hopes that the craft will also break the space barrier as well as the sound barrier.

SpaceShipTwo is a six-passenger, two-pilot plane that's designed to give riders an amazing view of the curving Earth below. It can zip people across the world far more quickly than usual planes, and has the potential to be a leader in commercial flight. In fact, Virgin Galactic plans to begin passenger service for both tourists and researchers over the Earth as early as next year. Already, 500 people have put down money for the $200,000 ride, according to NBC News.

Who flies first is up to Branson, though. He has actually announced that both he and his family will be among the first to fly in SpaceShipTwo.

"Like our hundreds of customers from around the world, my children and I cannot wait to get on board this fantastic vehicle for our own trip to space and am delighted that today's milestone brings that day much closer," Branson wrote.