WE’LL BEAT BRANSON INTO SPACE!

SECRET: Barry shows off his and Alan’s unique science project VIRGIN Galactic’s founder, Sir Richard Branson, initially suggested that he hoped to see a maiden flight by the end of 2009.

It seemed an impossible dream – and so it turned out.

The launch has been delayed on a number of occasions, most notably by the October 2014 in- flight loss of SpaceShipTwo VSS Enterprise and the death of co- pilot Michael Alsbury.

Earlier this month, Branson suggested that he could travel to space aboard a SpaceShipTwo within six months but Mike Moses, president of Virgin Galactic, says that’s unlikely.

Setting up the world’s first commercial spaceline was never going to be easy – but two amateur inventors say they can beat Branson into the wide blue yonder with their scaled- down outfit based in Crewe, Cheshire.

Alan Debingsale and his pal Barry Harris have constructed what they claim is a “viable space vessel” at Alan’s lock- up on the outskirts of the town. LIFT OFF: Barry and Alan show off craft to beat Branson into space

The pair, who met while working as cleaning contractors at the former Rolls- Royce factory, share an interest in science and a passion for space flight.

And they reckon their passion will propel them – and paying passengers – into orbit and into the vast reaches of unlimited profit.

Fortune

Barry said: “The trouble with Branson is that he’s starting big. That’s his downfall. His spaceport in the desert in America is costing a fortune. Imagine the pressure.

“We’re keeping it simple. That keeps costs down and keeps it manageable.”

The science behind the craft is a closely- guarded secret but the pair say they are “beyond confident” their ship will sail starward.

The pair, who have based their orbiting craft on Robin Williams’s egg spaceship in Mork and Mindy, believe they can be aloft by a fortnight on Wednesday and get their first paying passengers in space a week later.

And they also reckon they can undercut Branson’s $ 200,000 (£ 150,000) price tag.

Alan said: “We’re going to be charging £ 2,000. That should pay for the fuel and give us a little bit left over to reinvest in the company.

“We think this is the birth of commercial spaceflight, here in Crewe!”

But some locals were less than convinced.

One, who refused to give his name for fear of reprisals, said: “I’ve seen those two down at the swimming baths, just watching.

“There’s summat not quite right about them.”