Virgin Galactic has appointed George T Whitesides, former chief of staff at the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), as its new chief executive officer.

Launched by UK-based entrepreneur Sir Richard Branson, Virgin Galactic will operate the world's commercial space tourism flights and has already taken more than US$65m (£45.3m) in reservations.

Whitesides - former National Space Society executive director - is to be responsible for overseeing the company's transition from its development to its operational stage.

Virgin Galactic president Will Whitehorn said: "[George] joins Virgin Galactic at a momentous moment in the development of the company.

"Test flying of the first SpaceShipTwo - VSS Enterprise - has commenced and our future home at Spaceport America in New Mexico is at an advanced stage of construction."

Whitesides added: "There is much to achieve at Virgin Galactic over the coming years as the company moves from the extensive test flying program and Federal Aviation Authority licensing process into commercial operation of frequent spaceflights from our new home at Spaceport America in New Mexico."

Image: Mark Greenberg/Virgin Galactic