Virgin Galactic founder Richard Branson has recently reaffirmed his commitment to his company in the wake of the fatal Mojave Desert crash that killed pilot Mike Alsbury this past October. According to the Telegraph, SpaceShip Two's launching failure made Branson consider abandoning his project. However, he is now stating that his will to continue his work is stronger than ever.

For those that do not know much about the crash, SpaceShipTwo broke up at 50,000 feet, shortly after being released by its launch vehicle. Pilot Peter Siebold survived the crash, but Alsbury did not.

The Verge reports that since the crash, roughly 20 of the company's 700 potential customers cancelled their $250,000 tickets to ride on Branson's spaceship.

Soon after the crash, the British billionaire stated, "I found myself questioning seriously for the first time, whether in fact it was right to be backing the development of something that could result in such tragic circumstances...  In short - was Virgin Galactic and everything it has stood for and dreamt of achieving, really worth it?"

However, his question was soon answered. He wrote in reflection, "I got a very firm answer to that question immediately when I landed in Mojave. From the designers, the builders, the engineers, the pilots and the whole community who passionately believed - and still believe - that truly opening space and making it accessible and safe is of vital importance to all our futures."

He stated of Alsbury's death, "Surrounded by our wonderful and talented team in Mojave, I said that humanity's greatest achievements often come out of our greatest pain."

Branson continued, "When this story is told in years to come, I believe alongside the bravery of Mike and the incredible tale of Pete's survival, will stand the story of the commitment, loyalty and passion of the world's first private astronauts...

And so Virgin Galactic goes on, with an unwavering commitment to safety and a renewed sense of purpose."