An aircraft billed as the future of commercial space travel has gone on display.

The Virgin Galactic plane took to the air at a huge convention in Oshkosh, Wisconsin in the United States.

Virgin boss, Sir Richard Branson, who funded the project, looked on as the WhiteKnight circled above the crowds at the air show.

Eventually the plane will travel to the edge of the Earth's atmosphere where it will release a spaceship.

That craft will continue to climb to 360,000 feet where the engine will be switched off and passengers will leave their seats to experience weightlessness at zero gravity.

It will return home using the Earth's pull to re-enter the atmosphere.

Branson hopes to use the system to create a commercial space travel business and more than 300 people have already bought tickets.

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