Richard Branson and US Officials Dedicate Space Terminal

British billionaire Richard Branson pops open a bottle of champagne while abseiling down the exterior of the hangar facility at Spaceport America, northeast of Truth Or Consequences, on October 17, 2011 in New Mexico. Branson was on hand to host guests and media at the Keys To A New Dawn event, for the dedication of Virgin Galactic’s new home at Spaceport America, the world’s first purpose-built commercial spaceport in southern New Mexico, where the Spaceport America Terminal Hangar Facility will serve as the operating hub for Virgin Galactic and is expected to house two WhiteKnightTwos and five SpaceShipTwos, in addition to all of Virgin’s astronaut preparation facilities and mission control. (FREDERIC J. BROWN/AFP/Getty Images)

British billionaire Sir Richard Branson drinks champagne after rapelling down the side of the new Spaceport America hangar Monday, Oct. 17 in Upham, N.M. Branson dedicated the newly completed terminal and hangar on Monday, where his Virgin Galactic will stage its commercial space tourism venture. (Matt York / AP)

Hundreds of visitors take their seats inside the cavernous spaceship hangar at Spaceport America in New Mexico. (Matt Rivera / msnbc.com)