Sir Richard Branson's Virgin Galactic space plane has conducted the first of three key test flights that should enable it to enter commercial service, BBC reported.

The Unity vehicle, with pilots Dave Mackay and CJ Sturckow at the controls, powered to a height of 89km (55 miles), and then glided back down to Earth.

Sir Richard has some 600 paying customers—including movie and music stars—waiting to take the same ride.

But they will only get their chance once Unity is fully licensed.

And that ought to happen by the year's end.