While the entrepreneur has his eye on space, his 105-foot catamaran, named Necker Belle, will be available to charter in the Caribbean next month for $88,000 a week.

Owners — even billionaires — often charter their yachts to offset running costs and to keep their yachts in peak condition, according to Clemmie Proctor of Burgess brokerage firm. However, Proctor would not speculate as to why Branson is letting the hoi polloi on his boat.

Branson’s spokesperson did not return calls.