MOJAVE, Calif. (AP) — Richard Branson's Virgin Galactic is preparing to take the long-awaited step of trying to fly its tourism rocket ship to the edge of space.

Virgin Space Ship Unity was undergoing final checks in preparation for a test flight early Thursday that could take it far higher than before and a big step closer to turning the dream of commercial space tourism into reality.

"It's a day that we've been waiting for for a long time," CEO George Whitesides told reporters Wednesday at the Virgin Galactic facilities at Mojave Air and Space Port.