Tencent attracted by romance of travel into space

The recent crash of Virgin Galactic's passenger spaceship has done little to quench many people's aspirations of exploring space, nor interest from Chinese investors in the idea, according to a leading provider of adventure, high-altitude travel.

Jane Poynter, co-founder and chief executive officer of the Tucson-based World View Enterprises Inc, which operates high-altitude balloons that offer what it calls "an accessible, affordable way to access nearspace", said in Beijing on Saturday that the company has just received another round of investment from those still excited about space travel technology, including from Chinese Internet giant Tencent Holdings Ltd.

She said David Wallerstein, senior executive vice-president and chairman of Tencent USA, has already met with one of World View's pilots and exchanged ideas on future technology, and that she considered the passion and contribution that Tencent could give to the project of huge significance to her operation.