SpaceShipTwo makes near-vertical plunge towards Earth on test flight as space tourism dream edges closer

• Latest test saw SpaceShipTwo deploy its twin tail sections in a way to allow it to gently return to Earth's atmosphere from the vacuum of space

After plunging towards Earth at a near-vertical angle, Virgin Galactic's SpaceShipTwo completed its latest test flight as plans to send tourists into space edged ever closer.

The 'maiden feathered flight' of SpaceShipTwo saw the rocket bend its wings into a near-right angle landing position after descending from 52,000ft.

SpaceShipTwo was lifted 6,000ft higher than during its last test flight in October, before an 11-minute descent demonstration which included 75 seconds in its 'feathered' mode.