What plans are there for private space travel?

: What plans are there for private space travel?
It is sad that NASA is about to launch the last space shuttle soon, with such a rich history we, as the Human race have had with space travel it is almost as if they are ending history as we know it, with that being said it does raise the question, what’s next? I know that Virgin is planning commercial space travel which is awesome but are there any privately owned companies planning to go up to the ISS or even the moon for research purposes? If they’re planning commercial space travel, why not go even further and try to colonize space?

Answers and Views:

Answer by Cirric
Hi. Virgin Atlantic’s company will offer flights into space soon as you point out. It, and other companies, will provide other trips such as ISS visits when it becomes safe and profitable.

Answer by IOWA MIKE
The space age is about to start a new phase the beginning of the era of private space flight. There are around 2 dozen private companies that will be commencing space flights over the next several years.Some examples Virgin Galactic, XCOR Aerospace, SpaceX and Excalibur Almaz to name just a few. For example on December 7th of this year The SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket will launch the fourth Dragon spacecraft, called Dragon C4. The mission will be the first operational cargo delivery mission to the International Space Station under the Commercial Resupply Services contract.