An unknown Dubai firm has become the first company in the world to charter a space flight for its management. Sharon Garrett, the head of space marketing and public relations at Virgin Galactic's Dubai office said that the flight can take a maximum of six passengers. She, however, refused to disclose other details regarding the company and its deal.

 

She also said that the company gave $500,000 to hire one of Virgin Galactic's aircraft. Virgin Galactic is a company within Sir Richard Branson's Virgin Group which offers sub orbital space flights. In future it also plans to offer orbital space flights for passengers.

 

Virgin Galactic aims to fly non professional astronauts in space and allow them to experience weightlessness. The flights will be at an altitude slightly above 100 km.  The first flight is scheduled to take off in 2009.