Billionaire Richard Branson takes off on Sunday from a base in New Mexico aboard a Virgin Galactic vessel bound for the edge of space, a voyage he hopes will lift the nascent space tourism industry off the ground. Inset: Richard Branson(L) receives cards from children as he walked out of Spaceport America, near Truth and Consequences, New Mexico on Sunday. Photo: AFP

Billionaire Richard Branson takes off on Sunday from a base in New Mexico aboard a Virgin Galactic vessel bound for the edge of space, a voyage he hopes will lift the nascent space tourism industry off the ground. Inset: Richard Branson(L) receives cards from children as he walked out of Spaceport America, near Truth and Consequences, New Mexico on Sunday. Photo: AFP