Virgin Galactic live updates: Watch the spaceflight carrying founder Richard Branson

The Virgin Galactic crew rode in a set of Land Rovers and drove out the spacecraft VSS Unity and carrier aircraft VMS Eve on the runway before boarding and preparing to takeoff from the runway of Spaceport America. The carrier aircraft will fly the spacecraft steadily up to its release altitude, expected about 50 minutes after takeoff.

A view of the Virgin Galactic crew walking out, from board member Adam Bain:

The Virgin Galactic crew walked out of Spaceport America to board spacecraft VSS Unity. The crew for Sunday’s flight is pilots Dave Mackay and Michael Masucci and passengers Sir Richard Branson, chief astronaut trainer Beth Moses, lead operations engineer Colin Bennett, and VP of government affairs Sirisha Bandla.