First Asian family books $1mn Virgin space trip

A businessman from Singapore has paid US $1 million for a ticket for him, his wife and two children to travel to space with Virgin Galatic. 

The group will becme the first Asian family to fly to space together with the space-tourism airline.

Speaking at an international media and marketing conference in Singapore, Virgin Galactic commercial director Stephen Attenborough said the customer had asked to remain anonymous because “apparently he hasn't told his wife yet”.

“I had lunch yesterday with a guy who got in touch with us in Singapore, and over lunch he signed his contract for not just a seat, but for a whole flight,” explained  Attenborough.

“So he is going to become, or he and his family will become, the first family from Asia to become astronauts together,” Attenborough said.