Richard Branson, the founder of British airline Virgin Atlantic, plans to launch commercial rockets into space using a Boeing 747-400, said a report.

The jet will be the launch platform for the satellite rocket being developed by another of the entrepreneur's companies - Virgin Galactic.

The 747 will carry this booster to high altitude where it will be released to ignite its engine and go into orbit, reported the BBC.

Jumbos have long played a role in space activity, most famously to transport Nasa's old shuttles across America.

Virgin Galactic will be air-launching a tourist spaceplane from underneath a jet vehicle, and had originally planned for the satellite rocket to use the same platform.

But the performance requirements of the booster have driven engineers to seek an alternative carrier.

Earlier this year, they announced they would be increasing the payload capability of the forthcoming rocket after consultations with prospective customers - a jump from 120kg of satellite payload to 200kg, into a standard orbit.

That meant stretching the tanks on the booster to accommodate more propellant, and, as a consequence, its mass and length had to increase.

The old 747-400 jumbo can handle this. Coincidentally, it used to fly in its Virgin Atlantic livery under the nickname "Cosmic Girl".

It will now get a new paint job in the Virgin Galactic colours. The company has produced a video visualisation of how the system will work.

On the move, Branson said: "The Boeing 747 has a very special place in my heart: we began service on my first airline, Virgin Atlantic, with just one leased 747."

"I never imagined that today one of our 747s would get a second chance and help open access to space. I'm absolutely thrilled that Cosmic Girl can stay in the Virgin family - and truly live up to her name!," he added.