Virgin Galactic Targets 50,000 Passengers

Attenborough said that 320 people have already booked a journey into space since Virgin Galactic's launch in October 2006, and $43 million has been generated in advance passenger bookings. An additional 90,000 potential space tourists have registered an interest.

While tickets now cost $200,000 a piece, Attenborough said that the price of a ticket could drop to $50,000.

In his speech, Attenborough emphasized the low-carbon nature of Virgin Galactic's flights and pointed to the small amount of fuel that the space tourism company will need in order to send its craft into space. Attenborough said that Virgin is sending a message to aircraft suppliers that fuel efficiency is important to buyers.

Virgin Galactic, which is part of the Virgin Group owned by Richard Branson, claims to be two thirds of the way towards its first flight.

Attenborough said the project exemplifies Virgin's innovative, groundbreaking culture and brings it into the 21st century.

The company is also looking at how it can use its technology for things other than space tourism, such as providing solar power and launching satellites.