Mfarhanonline Social Media News: Virgin Galactic may not have yet flown its first passenger aboard SpaceShipTwo , the Burt Rutan-designed low-orbit craft that is still undergoing trials. But it’s already signed up its 500th eager spacenik: some guy named Ashton Kutcher . “I gave Ashton a quick call to congratulate and welcome him,” wrote Virgin chief Richard Branson on his blog . “He is as thrilled as we are at the prospect of being among the first to cross the final frontier (and back!) with us and to experience the magic of space for himself.” When will that be? Good question. The latest word from Virgin Galactic is that SpaceShipTwo will hit the skies with its first cargo of paying passengers sometime next year. But don’t hold your breath. The company has consistently pushed back the date of the maiden voyage, citing safety concerns; it was initially supposed to be in 2008. As one of the first ticketed passengers told Mfarhanonline : “Every year for the last six years they've been saying 'next year.'" SEE ALSO: Virgin Galactic Keeps Inching Towards Space, But When Will It Get There? Still, Virgin Galactic has collected more than $60 million in pledges from passengers who, like Kutcher, will have paid $200,000 apiece for a short journey in the six-person craft by the time they fly. (To put down your deposit and reserve your place in line, you need only pony up $20,000.) For Kutcher, that could add up to some relatively cheap publicity. The actor (and prominent startup investor) has suffered from a string of bad press lately. Late last year he won the first “Foot In Mouth” award from Celebtweets.com for a social media missive supporting Joe Paterno over the Penn State scandal; immediately after that tweet, Kutcher announced he was “taking a break” from Twitter . Would you like to be Vi! rgin Gal actic’s 501st passenger? Let us know in the comments. More About: ashton kutcher , space , Virgin Galactic For more Tech coverage: Follow Mfarhanonline Tech on Twitter Become a Fan on Facebook Subscribe to the Tech channel Download our free apps for Android , Mac , iPhone and iPad Social Media reviews series maintain by Mayya
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