Timetable for private space flights

Space Adventures' flights to the International Space Station are already operating, having begun in 2001. The company is planning to offer sub-orbital spaceflights but has not announced a timetable.

Virgin Galactic plans to start its flights from the mojave desert in 2009 or 2010, subject to successful test flights in 2009.

Xcor says it plans to have suborbital flights in place by the year 2010.

Armadillo Aerospace says it will test its controversially-designed "spacebowl" in 2009 and operate spaceflights in 2010.

Astrium is at least five years away from offering private space flights. It says if development begins in 2008, the first commercial space flights could be possible by 2012.