The private space flight sector is taking shape. This week UP Aerospace, Inc. announced that its first take-off into space to be scheduled for August 14th from New Mexico.

The UP Aerospace SpaceLoft XL can carry 110 pounds into space.

Besides experiments from Universities the first flight also includes commercial projects. ZG Aerospace is flying personal items like business cards or rings into space, so their customer can say this has been in space - anything goes.
The UP Aerospace intends to conduct up to 30 space launches per year. More details in this press-release and on the UP aerospace site.

Meanwhile NASA is struggling to get their Space Shuttle of the ground this weekend. If this mission is not successful, it could mean the end of the Shuttle program. The new launch time is today at 3:26pm EDT. More details on the NASA site.