4 episodes · 1st December 2022
June 25, 2021. With 16 days to go before Richard Branson flies into space, the entrepreneur reflects on his early years and the influence of his iconoclasic mother. As a dyslexic teenager, Branson left school to create a magazine called Student, which led to a mail-order record business and, eventually, Virgin Records and Virgin megastores.
In the 1980s, as the success of Virgin Records takes off, Branson begins exploring the full potential of the brand – leading to the launch of Virgin Atlantic. To attract media attention to his new airline, Branson attempts a series of dangerous stunts, including breaking the trans-Atlantic speed record by boat and a death-defying balloon adventure.
Despite a rocky start, Virgin Atlantic prevails in a libel suit against rival British Airways. Chasing even greater ambitions, Branson announces plans to develop a spaceflight company, Virgin Galactic, kicking off what would become a decade-long pursuit.
In the run-up to Virgin Galactic’s first passenger flight in July 2021, the company’s arduous history is examined – from its conception and test flights to a controversial bid to obtain government support during the Covid-19 pandemic. After nearly two decades of research, testing, and setbacks, an undeterred Branson heads to space.
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