http://www.newsweek.com/virgin-space-plane-travel-commercial-flight-twice-speed-light-1045829

A Virgin Galactic rocket launched its commercial spacecraft and the two pilots aboard more than 30 miles into the atmosphere above the Mojave Desert at almost two-and-a-half times the speed of sound.

The VSS Unity’s third launch marked the first time a Virgin Galactic spaceship entered the mesosphere, a middle layer of Earth’s atmosphere 30 to 50 miles above its surface, an altitude too high for commercial aircraft and weather balloons to reach. Company heads hope the successful test proves its first round of space tours isn’t too far off.