Kutcher heading into space

Ashton Kutcher will be soon adding the title of ‘astronaut’ to his growing resume.

The 34-year-old actor will become the 500th space traveller take a voyage on Virgin Galactic, it was announced today.

Virgin CEO Sir Richard Branson announced the news via his blog.

He wrote: ‘I gave Ashton a quick call to congratulate and welcome him. He is as thrilled as we are at the prospect of being among the first to cross the final frontier (and back!) with us and to experience the magic of space for himself.‘

There is as yet no comment from the Two and a Half Men star on his future voyage, but he did retweet Branson’s announcement on his Twitter account today.

Branson added: ‘Virgin Galactic is the most exciting business that we’ve ever launched and I still sometimes have to pinch myself that it’s for real.

‘Ashton is joining a fast expanding group of true pioneers who are on their way to a life changing experience and a place in the history books. It’s great to have him on board.’

Branson also took the opportunity of using today’s news to plug his new space age business venture which will cost customers in the region of $200,000 per trip.

‘Our spaceships are not only very beautiful but are built and flying in the final stages of our exhaustive test flight program,’ he wrote.

 

‘We are guided by safety and so will ensure that everything is just as safe as it can possibly be before we start commercial services – particularly as I will be on the first commercial flight with my kids.’

Kutcher joins a slew of celebrities who have expressed interest at jumping onboard the commercial space craft.

Former Dallas star Victoria Principal has already purchased a ticket, revealing she was the third person to buy a ride.

‘Going into space fulfils many desires I have of seeing the planet, going fast, going some place very few people have been – and hopefully coming back down!’ Principal told People.com.

However, she admitted some frustration that the first passengers on the space craft would be chosen at random.

‘I’m a passenger in something that is pioneering,’ Principal said. ‘This will become to our great-grandchildren what Wilbur and Orville Wright were to you and me.’

Physicist Stephen Hawking has also announced his intention to take a flight, with Russell Brand also rumoured to have signed up.

Other celebrities reported to have expressed an interest include Tom Hanks, Katy Perry, Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt.

Virgin Galactic started taking bookings for space flights back in 2007, and it is still not clear exactly when Kutcher will be making his foray into space.