Photo Essay: Celebs at Spaceport America

Richard Branson surrounded by members of the welcoming committee after arriving at Spaceport America.

Richard Branson waves to the crowd as he leads a group toward the podium. From left to right are New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson, NASA Deputy Administrator Lori Garver, Apollo 11 astronaut Buzz Aldrin, and New Mexico Spaceport Authority Executive Director Rick Homans.

NASA Deputy Administrator Lori Garver and Apollo astronaut Buzz Aldrin. Behind them is Pat Hynes, director of the New Mexico Space Grant Consortium.

Richard Branson

Lori Garver with New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson at Spaceport America.

Richard Branson and New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson.

Virgin Galactic President George Whitesides, NASA Deputy Administrator Lori Garver, Richard Branson, and New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson.

A crowd of about 600 people attended the Spaceport America runway dedication.

Buzz Aldrin salutes during the singing of the National Anthem at the Spaceport America runway dedication.

Robert Bigelow

Gov. Bill Richardson and Richard Branson with SpaceShipTwo.

Four big thumbs up from Richard Branson and New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson at the Spaceport America runway dedication.