Commercial spaceflight company Virgin Galactic has officially opened its spaceport in New Mexico, USA to serve as the jump-off point of space tourists 12 months from now.

Virgin Group Chairman Richard Branson, UK's fifth richest person, and New Mexico Governor Susana Martinez led the ceremonial champagne bottle breaking for the Spaceport America's hangar, The Virgin Galactic Gateway to Space, which will house the spaceships White Knight Two and SpaceShipTwo.

Astronaut Buzz Aldrin, the second man to walk on the moon, and future space tourists were guests during the inauguration.
Spaceport America sits on a 670,000 square feet government lot located in the uninhabited desert town of Upham, about 90 miles north of El Paso, Texas.

Aside from the hangar, the facility will house the office Virgin Galactic, which has already booked 150 passengers to take the initial suborbital flights. Each passenger is paying up to $250,000 for the flight.

Eight spaceflights have been launched from the spaceport in 2009 but rocket tests are continuing while the remaining parts of the spaceport are being constructed.

The New Mexico Spaceport Authority office will also be located at the spaceport. The facility has an astronaut training area, departure lounge, spacesuit dressing rooms, celebration areas, restaurant, mission control room and runway.

A staff of 550 will operate and maintain the entire facility.