VSS Unity

Last updated

VSS Unity
Virgin Galactic SpaceShipTwo "Unity" rollout 19Feb2016, FAITH hangar, Mojave, California.jpg
Virgin Galactic SpaceShipTwo Unity rollout, 19 February 2016, FAITH hangar, Mojave, California
Type Scaled Composites Model 339 SpaceShipTwo
Manufacturer The Spaceship Company
Construction number2 [1]
RegistrationN202VG [2]
First flight
  • 8 September 2016 [3]
    (captive carry flight)
  • 3 December 2016
    (glide flight)
  • 5 April 2018
    (powered flight)
  • 13 December 2018
    (spaceflight dependent upon definition)
Owners and operators Virgin Galactic
In service2016–2024

VSSUnity (Virgin Space Ship Unity, registration: N202VG), previously referred to as VSS Voyager, is a SpaceShipTwo-class suborbital rocket-powered crewed spaceplane. It is the second SpaceShipTwo to be built and is part of the Virgin Galactic fleet. It first reached space as defined by the United States (above 50 miles or 80.5 km) on 13 December 2018, on the VP-03 mission. [4]

Contents

Unity is able to reach space as defined by the U.S. Air Force, NASA, and the FAA, by going over 50 miles (80.5 km) above sea level. However, it is unable to go above the Kármán line, the FAI's defined space boundary of 100 km (62.1 miles).

VSS Unity was rolled out on 19 February 2016 [5] [6] and completed ground-based system integration testing in September 2016, prior to its first flight on 8 September 2016. [3] [7] [8]

Unity will be retired in 2024 as Virgin Galactic shifts its focus to the next generation Delta-class vehicles.

Overview

VSS Unity, the second SpaceShipTwo suborbital spaceplane for Virgin Galactic, [9] is the first SpaceShipTwo built by The Spaceship Company. The ship's name was announced on 19 February 2016. [4] Prior to the naming announcement, the craft was referred to as SpaceShipTwo, Serial Number Two. [10] [11] There was speculation in 2004 that Serial Number Two would be named VSS Voyager, [12] an unofficial name that was repeatedly used in media coverage. [13] [14] [15] The name Unity was chosen by British physicist Stephen Hawking. Hawking's eye is also used as the model for the eye logo on the side of Unity. [16]

History

VSS Unity under construction Lorenda Ward SpaceShipTwo 2014.jpg
VSS Unity under construction

The manufacture of Unity began in 2012. [2] The spacecraft's registration, N202VG, was filed in September 2014. [17] As of early November 2014, the build of Unity was about 90 percent structurally complete, and 65 percent complete overall. As of April 2015, ground tests of Unity were projected to be able to begin as early as late 2015, [18] after being projected as early as mid-2015 as of November 2014. [1] [19] [20] On 21 May 2015, Unity reached the milestone of bearing the weight of the airframe on its own wheels. [21] The spaceship was unveiled on 19 February 2016, [22] as Virgin Galactic founder Sir Richard Branson had projected in November 2015; ground and flight testing commenced thereafter. [23] [24]

VSS Unity is the second SpaceShipTwo to be completed; the first, VSS Enterprise, was destroyed in a crash in late October 2014. [9] [14]

After rollout and unveiling, a phase of testing called "Integrated Vehicle Ground Testing" began on VSS Unity in February 2016. [8]

Test flight program

VSS Unity will undergo a test regimen similar to VSS Enterprise, then will embark on testing beyond what Enterprise experienced. The test flights are expected to be fewer, as Enterprise has already tested the design's responses under numerous conditions. For each flight test, the White Knight Two aircraft carries Unity to altitude. Testing began with captive carry flights, in which Unity was not released from its carrier aircraft. Testing then progressed to free-flight glide testing, and will continue with powered test flights. It is possible that only two or three flights under each regime previously tested will be performed, instead of the five or ten that Enterprise performed. [25]

On 8 September 2016, Virgin Galactic commenced flight testing of Unity with a captive-carry flight. [7] On 1 November 2016, Virgin Galactic conducted another captive-carry flight of Unity but cancelled the glide portion of the flight because of wind speed. [26] On 3 November and 30 November, additional captive-carry flights took place. [27] [28] [29]

In July 2017, Richard Branson suggested that the craft was to begin powered tests at three-week intervals. [30] In September 2017, CEO George Whitesides suggested that engine testing was complete, and that only a "small number of glide flights" remained before VSS Unity would begin powered test flights. [31] The first powered flight test took place on 5 April 2018 when a 30-second rocket firing accelerated Unity to a speed of Mach 1.87 and an altitude of 84,271 ft (25,686 m). [32] [33] The first powered test flight of Unity exceeded the altitude of all powered test flights of its predecessor, Enterprise. [34]

VSS Unity VP-03, the first suborbital spaceflight of VSS Unity was successfully completed on 13 December 2018, surpassing the 50 miles (80 km) altitude considered the boundary of outer space by NASA and the United States Air Force. [35] [36]

Following its February 2019 flight to space, VSS Unity began to undergo modifications including installation of the commercial cabin, and changes to cockpit displays. [37] Upon completion of these modifications, VSS Unity along with its carrier craft, VMS Eve, were moved to Spaceport America in New Mexico in February 2020. [38] After completing two additional glide tests in New Mexico in May and June 2020, VSS Unity underwent final modifications to the commercial cabin [39] and in July 2020, Virgin Galactic first publicly showed the interior of the space craft. [40]

The flights of VSS Unity will stop mid-2024 to focus the effort on the next generation Delta-class vehicles, expected for 2025–26. [41]

SpaceShipTwo flights
FlightDateOutcomeTop speedAltitudeCrew
VSS Unity VP-03 13 December 2018SuccessMach 2.9 [42] 82.72 km (51.40 mi) Mark P. Stucky and Frederick W. Sturckow
VSS Unity VF-01 22 February 2019SuccessMach 3.04 [43] 89.9 km (55.9 mi) [44] Dave Mackay, Michael Masucci, and Beth Moses (passenger)
VSS Unity VF-0212 December 2020, 16:15 UTC (aborted) [45] Aborted prior to ignitionN/AN/A Dave Mackay and Frederick W. Sturckow [46]
VSS Unity 21 22 May 2021, 15:26 UTC SuccessMach 389.2 km (55.4 mi) Dave Mackay and Frederick W. Sturckow [47]
VSS Unity 22 11 July 2021, 15:04 UTC Success [lower-alpha 1] Mach 3.286 km (53 mi) David Mackay, Michael Masucci, Sirisha Bandla, Colin Bennett, Beth Moses and Richard Branson
VSS Unity Unity 25 25 May 2023, 16:23 UTC [49] SuccessMach 2.94 [50] 87.2 km (54.2 mi) Michael Masucci, Frederick W. Sturckow, Beth Moses, Luke Mays, Jamila Gilbert, Christopher Huie
Galactic 01 29 June 2023, 15:28 UTC [51] SuccessMach 2.8885.1 km (52.9 mi) Michael Masucci, Nicola Pecile, Walter Villadei, Angelo Landolfi, Pantaleone Carlucci and Colin Bennett
Galactic 02 10 August 2023, 15:17 UTC [52] SuccessMach 3.0088.5 km (55.0 mi) CJ Sturckow, Kelly Latimer, Beth Moses, Jon Goodwin, Keisha Schahaff, Anastatia Mayers
Galactic 03 8 September 2023, 15:22 UTC [53] SuccessMach 2.9588.6 km (55.1 mi) Michael Masucci, Nicola Pecile, Beth Moses, Timothy Nash, Ken Baxter, Adrian Reynard [54]
Galactic 04 6 October 2023, 16:10 UTC [55] SuccessMach 2.9587.4 km (54.3 mi) Kelly Latimer, CJ Sturckow, Beth Moses, Ron Rosano, Trevor Beattie, Namira Salim
Galactic 05 2 November 2023, 15:44 UTC [56] SuccessMach 2.9687.2 km (54.2 mi) Michael Masucci, Kelly Latimer, Colin Bennett, Alan Stern, Kellie Gerardi, Ketty Maisonrouge
Galactic 06 26 January 2024, 17:42 UTC [57] SuccessMach 2.9888.8 km (55.2 mi) CJ Sturckow, Nicola Pecile, Lina Borozdina, Robie Vaughn, Franz Haider, Neil Kornswiet
  1. ↑ The flight was initially claimed to be successful but it was later revealed Unity briefly stepped outside the airspace that had been reserved for it and the FAA were not informed as required. The FAA grounded Virgin Galactic's space planes before allowing a resumption of flights after some changes to procedures including reserving a larger volume of airspace. [48]

Full list of test flights

This section is an excerpt from List of Virgin Galactic launches § VSS Unity flights.[ edit ]
Legend
CodeDetail
GFxxGlide Flight
CCxxCaptive Carry Flight
CFxxCold Flow Flight
PFxxPowered Flight
FxxFeathering deployed
Flights
Flight designationDateDurationMaximum altitudeTop speedPilot / co-pilot / passengersNotes
01 / CC018 September 201615.2 km (50,000 ft) Stucky / Mackay [58]
02 / CC021 November 2016Strong winds, no release during flight intended as GF01 [59]
03 / CC033 November 2016Strong winds, no release during second attempt at GF01
04 / CC0430 November 2016Test of minor modifications
05 / GF013 December 201610 minutes [60] 16.8 km (55,000 ft)Mach 0.6Stucky / MackayFirst Glide Flight [61] [62] [63] [64]
06 / GF0222 December 2016Stucky / Mackay [65]
07 / GF0324 February 2017 Sturckow / Mackay3rd Glide Flight
08 / GF041 May 2017Stucky / MasucciF01 [66]
09 / CF011 June 2017Mackay / Sturckow [67]
10 / GF064 August 2017Mackay / SturckowFirst flight with major propulsion components aboard. [68] [69]
11 / GF0711 January 2018Mach 0.9Stucky / Masucci [70] [71] [72] [73]
12 / PF015 April 201825.7 km (84,300 ft)Mach 1.87Stucky / MackayF02 [74]
13 / PF0229 May 201834.9 km (114,501 ft) [75] [76] Mach 1.9Mackay / StuckyTest of changed center of gravity as passenger seats carried for first time. F03 [77]
14 / PF0326 July 201852.1 km (170,800 ft) [78] Mach 2.47 [78] Mackay / Masucci [79] Reached Mesosphere for first time. [80]
15 / VP-03 13 December 201882.7 km (271,330 ft)Mach 2.9 [81] Stucky / SturckowReached outer space for first time according to the US definition of the space border. [82]
16 / VF-01 22 February 201989.9 km (295,007 ft) [83] [84] Mach 3.04 [83] Mackay / Masucci / Moses [83] Carried third crew member (1 in the passenger cabin) for the first time [83]
17 / GF081 May 202015.24 km (50,000 ft) [85] Mach 0.7 [85] Mackay / Sturckow [85] First flight from New Mexico [85]
18 / GF0925 June 202015.54 km (51,000 ft) [86] Mach 0.85 [86] Stucky / Masucci [86]
1912 December 2020Mackay / SturckowFirst attempted crewed spaceflight from New Mexico, aborted due to computer malfunction, engine ignited and automatically turned off. [87]
21 / VF-03 22 May 202189.23 km (55.45 mi)Mackay / SturckowFirst crewed spaceflight (above 50 miles) from New Mexico [88]
22 11 July 202186.1 km (53.5 mi) [89] Mackay / Masucci / Sirisha Bandla, Colin Bennett, Beth Moses, Richard BransonFirst fully crewed [note 1] flight included Richard Branson.
24 / GF1026 April 20239 minutes13.5 km (47,000 ft)Sturckow / Pecile [90]
25 25 May 202314 minutes87.2 km (54.2 mi)Mach 2.94Masucci / Sturckow / Moses / Mays / Gilbert / Huie [91] [92]
Galactic 01 29 June 202313:50 minutes85.1 km (52.9 mi)Mach 2.88Masucci / Pecile / Villadei / Carlucci / Pandolfi / BennettFirst VSS Unity commercial service flight, carrying members of the Italian Air Force. [93]
Galactic 02 10 August 202315:38 minutes88.5 km (55.0 mi)Mach 3.00Sturckow / Latimer / Moses / Goodwin / Schahaff / MayersFirst VSS Unity flight carrying a private astronaut. [94]
Galactic 03 8 September 202312:37 minutes88.6 km (55.1 mi)Mach 2.95Masucci / Pecile / Moses / Baxter / Reynard / Nash [95]
Galactic 04 6 October 202314:23 minutes87.4 km (54.3 mi)Mach 2.95Latimer / Sturckow / Moses / Rosano / Beattie / Salim [96]
Galactic 05 2 November 202314:20 minutes87.2 km (54.2 mi)Mach 2.96Masucci / Latimer / Bennett / Stern / Gerardi / Maisonrouge [97]
Galactic 06 26 January 202488.8 km (55.2 mi)Mach 2.98Sturckow / Pecile / Borozdina / Vaughn / Haider / Kornswiet

See also

Notes

  1. ↑ The SpaceShipTwo vehicles (like VSS Unity) are designed for 8 people, 6 passengers and 2 pilots, so whether this flight was fully-crewed is debatable. But it is true that at the time of this flight, only 6 seats (4 passengers, 2 pilots) were installed in VSS Unity, so in this sense this flight was fully-crewed.

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Virgin Galactic</span> Space tourism company

Virgin Galactic Holdings, Inc. is a British-American spaceflight company founded by Richard Branson and the Virgin Group conglomerate which retains an 11.9% stake through Virgin Investments Limited. It is headquartered in California, and operates from New Mexico. The company is developing commercial spacecraft and aims to provide suborbital spaceflights to space tourists. Virgin Galactic's suborbital spacecraft are air launched from beneath a carrier airplane known as White Knight Two. Virgin Galactic's maiden spaceflight occurred in 2018 with its VSS Unity spaceship. Branson had originally hoped to see a maiden spaceflight by 2010, but the date was delayed for several years, and then delayed again, primarily due to the October 2014 crash of VSS Enterprise.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Air launch</span>

Air launching is the practice of releasing a rocket, missile, parasite aircraft or other aircraft payload from a mother ship or launch aircraft. The payload craft or missile is often tucked under the wing of the larger mother ship and then "dropped" while in flight. It may also be stored within a bomb bay, beneath the main fuselage or even on the back of the carrier aircraft, as in the case of the D-21 drone. Air launching provides several advantages over ground launching, giving the smaller craft an altitude and range boost, while saving it the weight of the fuel and equipment needed to take off on its own.

VSS<i> Enterprise</i> SpaceShipTwo (SS2) spaceplane

VSS Enterprise was the first SpaceShipTwo (SS2) spaceplane, built by Scaled Composites for Virgin Galactic. As of 2004, it was planned to be the first of five commercial suborbital SS2 spacecraft planned by Virgin Galactic. It was also the first ship of the Scaled Composites Model 339 SpaceShipTwo class, based on upscaling the design of record-breaking SpaceShipOne.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">SpaceShipTwo</span> Suborbital spaceplane for space tourism

The Scaled Composites Model 339 SpaceShipTwo (SS2) is an air-launched suborbital spaceplane type designed for space tourism. It is manufactured by The Spaceship Company, a California-based company owned by Virgin Galactic.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Spaceship Company</span> Spacecraft manufacturing company

The Spaceship Company (TSC) is a British/American spacecraft manufacturing company that was founded by Burt Rutan and Richard Branson in mid-2005 and was jointly owned by Virgin Group (70%) and Scaled Composites (30%) until 2012 when Virgin Galactic became the sole owner. TSC was formed to own the technology created by Scaled for Virgin Galactic's Virgin SpaceShip program. This includes developments on the care-free reentry system and cantilevered-hybrid rocket motor, licensed from Paul Allen and Burt Rutan's Mojave Aerospace. The company is manufacturing Virgin Galactic's spacecraft and will sell spacecraft to other buyers. The suborbital launch system offered will include the SpaceShipTwo spacecraft and the White Knight Two carrier aircraft.

SpaceShip III is an upcoming class of spaceplanes by Virgin Galactic to follow SpaceShipTwo. It was first teased on the Virgin Galactic Twitter account on 25 February 2021 announcing the rollout of the first SpaceShip III plane on 30 March 2021.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Spaceport America</span> Spaceport located in New Mexico, U.S.

Spaceport America, formerly the Southwest Regional Spaceport, is an FAA-licensed spaceport located on 18,000 acres (7,300 ha) of State Trust Land in the Jornada del Muerto desert basin 45 miles (72 km) north of Las Cruces, New Mexico, and 20 miles (32 km) southeast of Truth or Consequences. With Virgin Galactic's launch of the VSS Unity, with three people aboard, on May 22, 2021, New Mexico became the third US state to launch humans into space after California and Florida.

VMS<i> Eve</i> Virgin Galactic mother ship

VMS Eve is a carrier mothership for Virgin Galactic and launch platform for SpaceShipTwo-based Virgin SpaceShips.

RocketMotorTwo (RM2) is a family of hybrid rocket engines developed for the Scaled Composites SpaceShipTwo suborbital spaceplane.

VSS <i>Enterprise</i> crash Inflight break-up of VSS Enterprise

The VSS Enterprise crash occurred on October 31, 2014, when the VSS Enterprise, a SpaceShipTwo experimental spaceflight test vehicle operated by Virgin Galactic, suffered a catastrophic in-flight breakup during a test flight and crashed in the Mojave Desert near Cantil, California. Co-pilot Michael Alsbury was killed and pilot Peter Siebold was seriously injured.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2023 in spaceflight</span> Spaceflight-related events during the year 2023

This article documents notable spaceflight events during the year 2023. For the third year in a row, new world records were set for both orbital launch attempts (223) and successful orbital launches (211) in a year.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kelly Latimer</span>

Kelly Latimer is a combat veteran, retired United States Air Force lieutenant colonel, and commercial spaceship pilot. She was the first female research pilot to join the NASA Armstrong Flight Research Center. She works with Virgin Galactic and Virgin Orbit, and was the latter's pilot in command for their first rocket launch in January 2021. Latimer flew the T-38, T-34, Lockheed C-141 Starlifter, Boeing C-17, 747 Shuttle Carrier Aircraft and the Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy 747SP. On August 10, 2023 Latimer co-piloted VSS Unity along with Frederick W. Sturckow as commercial astronaut pilot of Virgin's Galactic 02.

VSS <i>Unity</i> VP-03 First SpaceShipTwo spaceflight

VP-03 was a sub-orbital spaceflight of the SpaceShipTwo-class VSS Unity which took place on 13 December 2018, piloted by Mark P. Stucky and co-piloted by Frederick W. "CJ" Sturckow.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mark P. Stucky</span> American astronaut

Mark P. "Forger" Stucky is an American test pilot and commercial astronaut. In these roles, he was an employee of Virgin Galactic, a private spaceflight company which is developing sub-orbital space tourism flights.

VSSImagine, is a SpaceShip III class suborbital rocket-powered crewed spaceplane. It is the first SpaceShip III to be built and will be used as part of the Virgin Galactic fleet. The spacecraft was rolled out 30 March 2021 and was planned to undergo ground and glide testing during summer 2021. As of January 2024, it has not yet flown.

Virgin Galactic <i>Unity</i> 21 2021 American crewed sub-orbital spaceflight

Virgin Galactic Unity 21 was a sub-orbital spaceflight of the SpaceShipTwo-class VSS Unity which took place on 22 May 2021, piloted by David Mackay and co-piloted by Frederick Sturckow. It was the first human spaceflight from the state of New Mexico. It was operated by Virgin Galactic, a private company led by Richard Branson which intends to conduct space tourism flights in the future. Unity 21 was the first human spaceflight to be launched from Spaceport America.

Virgin Galactic <i>Unity</i> 22 2021 American crewed sub-orbital spaceflight

Virgin Galactic Unity 22 was a sub-orbital spaceflight of the SpaceShipTwo-class VSS Unity which launched on 11 July 2021. The crew consisted of pilots David Mackay and Michael Masucci as well as passengers Sirisha Bandla, Colin Bennett, Beth Moses, and Richard Branson.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Galactic 01</span> 2023 American crewed sub-orbital spaceflight

Galactic 01, previously referred to as Unity 23, was a sub-orbital spaceflight of the SpaceShipTwo-class VSS Unity which launched on 29 June 2023. The launch was the first commercial spaceflight for Virgin Galactic. A research mission for the Italian Air Force, the crew consisted of pilots Michael Masucci and Nicola Pecile as well as crew members Colin Bennett, Walter Villadei, Angelo Landolfi, and Pantaleone Carlucci. The flight was postponed from its original planned October 2021 flight date for Virgin Galactic to upgrade its SpaceShipTwo vehicles.

Virgin Galactic <i>Unity</i> 25 2023 American crewed sub-orbital spaceflight

Virgin Galactic Unity 25 was a sub-orbital spaceflight by Virgin Galactic that took place on 25 May 2023. The flight used their SpaceShipTwo spaceplane VSS Unity. The crew consisted of six Virgin Galactic employees. Unity 25 was the first spaceflight for the company since Unity 22 in 2021, when founder Richard Branson flew to space.

References

  1. 1 2 Luke Villapaz (5 November 2014). "Virgin Galactic Hopes To Restart SpaceShipTwo Tests In Summer 2015". International Business Times.
  2. 1 2 Irene Klotz (5 November 2014). "New spaceship restoring hope after Virgin Galactic crash". SpaceDaily. Reuters. Archived from the original on 7 December 2014. Retrieved 6 November 2014.
  3. 1 2 "Update from Mojave: VSS Unity's First Flight Test Completed - Virgin Galactic". virgingalactic.com. 9 September 2016. Archived from the original on 12 September 2016. Retrieved 12 September 2016.
  4. 1 2 @virgingalactic (19 February 2016). "Virgin Galactic announces new ship name" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  5. ↑ "New SpaceShipTwo Rollout Friday". AVweb. 18 February 2016. Retrieved 19 February 2016.
  6. ↑ "Virgin Galactic unveils new space tourism rocket plane". CBC News . 19 February 2016. Retrieved 20 February 2016.
  7. 1 2 "Virgin Galactic's new SpaceShipTwo gets off the ground, two years after fatal mishap". GeekWire. 8 September 2016. Retrieved 8 September 2016.
  8. 1 2 "Update from Mojave: Testing Testing 1-2-3". Virgin Galactic. 10 March 2016. Archived from the original on 15 March 2016. Retrieved 15 March 2016.
  9. 1 2 "Mojave Update: SpaceShipTwo Construction". virgingalactic.com. Archived from the original on 3 October 2016. Retrieved 11 September 2015.
  10. ↑ Rosenberg, Zach. "The Making of SpaceShipTwo". Air & Space Smithsonian. Smithsonian Air & Space Magazine. Retrieved 11 September 2015.
  11. ↑ Crane, Rachel (13 June 2014). "Inside Virgin Galactic's newest passenger spaceship". Inside Virgin Galactic's Space Tourism Rocket Factory. CNN. Retrieved 11 September 2015.
  12. ↑ "One small step for space tourism..." The Economist. 16 December 2004.
  13. ↑ Roll, Erin (21 November 2013). "Glen Ridge resident helping to launch commercial spaceflight". NorthJersey.com. Retrieved 9 November 2015.
  14. 1 2 Dean, Lewis (31 October 2014). "Virgin Galactic SpaceShipTwo Crash: Pilot Dies After 'Serious' In-Flight Problem". International Business Times . Retrieved 9 November 2015.
  15. ↑ Harlow, John (9 November 2014). "Virgin: Our spaceship will be flying by April". The Sunday Times . London. Archived from the original on 2 March 2016. Retrieved 9 November 2015.
  16. ↑ USA Today (19 February 2016). "New Virgin Galactic spacecraft gets rock star unveiling". Youtube. Archived from the original on 21 February 2016.
  17. ↑ "N202VG is Reserved". FAA. 11 September 2014. Archived from the original on 6 November 2014. Retrieved 5 November 2014.
  18. ↑ "Virgin Galactic 'to test new craft by end of year'". The Telegraph (London). 21 April 2015.
  19. ↑ "Virgin Galactic CEO Sees New Spacecraft Ready Next Year". Newsweek. Reuters. 2 November 2014. Retrieved 2 November 2014.
  20. ↑ Alan Boyle (5 November 2014). "The Next SpaceShipTwo Takes Shape in Virgin Galactic Hangar". NBC News.
  21. ↑ Alan Boyle (22 May 2015). "Virgin Galactic's SpaceShipTwo 2.0 Puts 'Weight on Wheels'". NBC News.
  22. ↑ "Virgin Galactic unveils new spaceship". CNN. 19 February 2016. Archived from the original on 19 February 2016. Retrieved 14 December 2018.
  23. ↑ Plautz, Jessica; Kramer, Miriam (2 November 2015). "Richard Branson: Virgin Galactic's next space plane is coming in February". Mashable . Retrieved 3 December 2015.
  24. ↑ "Video - Virgin Galactic: second SpaceShipTwo to be rolled out on 19 February". aeronewstv.com. 14 January 2016.
  25. ↑ Jeff Foust (14 October 2015). "SpaceShipTwo Bounces Back to Rubber Fuel". SpaceNews.
  26. ↑ Tariq Malik (1 November 2016). "Virgin Galactic Postpones 1st Glide Test with New SpaceShipTwo" . Retrieved 4 November 2016.
  27. ↑ "Virgin Galactic Looks to Its Next SpaceShipTwo Flight Test". inverse.com. 4 November 2016. Retrieved 5 December 2016.
  28. ↑ Messier, Doug (4 November 2016). "Last Minute Scrub of SpaceShipTwo Glide Flight". parabolicarc.com. Retrieved 5 November 2016.
  29. ↑ "Virgin Galactic conducts captive carry flight of SpaceShipTwo". spaceflightinsider.com. 1 December 2016. Retrieved 5 December 2016.
  30. ↑ Einhorn, Bruce (5 July 2017). "Branson Aims Mid-2018 Space Trip as Virgin Resumes Powered Tests". Bloomberg. Retrieved 8 July 2017.
  31. ↑ Sheetz, Michael (7 September 2017). "Virgin Galactic is returning to powered flights, CEO says, in a crucial next step for the spaceship company". CNBC. Retrieved 8 September 2017.
  32. ↑ Second SpaceShipTwo performs first powered test flight, SpaceNews, Jeff Foust, 5 April 2018
  33. ↑ Grady, Mary (10 April 2018). "First Supersonic, Powered Flight For Virgin's Unity". AVweb. Retrieved 11 April 2018.
  34. ↑ Clark, Stephen (5 April 2018). "Virgin Galactic completes first rocket-powered test flight since 2014". spaceflightnow.com. Retrieved 11 April 2018.
  35. ↑ "Virgin Galactic gets set for SpaceShipTwo flights that aim for space — but how high?". GeekWire. 12 December 2018. Retrieved 14 December 2018.
  36. ↑ Malik, Tariq (13 December 2018). "Virgin Galactic's 4th Powered Test Flight of SpaceShipTwo Unity in Twitter Posts". Space.com. Retrieved 14 December 2018.
  37. ↑ Foust, Jeff (19 April 2019). "Virgin Galactic expects rapid conclusion of SpaceShipTwo test flights after downtime". spacenews.com. Retrieved 19 April 2019.
  38. ↑ "Virgin Galactic Welcomes SpaceShipTwo Unity to Spaceport America, New Mexico" (Press release). 13 February 2020. Retrieved 18 December 2020.
  39. ↑ "Virgin Galactic's SpaceShipTwo Completes Second Flight from Spaceport America" (Press release). 25 June 2020. Retrieved 18 December 2020.
  40. ↑ "Virgin Galactic Reveals Spaceshiptwo Cabin Interior". 28 July 2020. Archived from the original on 11 July 2021. Retrieved 18 December 2020.
  41. ↑ Jeff Foust (8 November 2023). "Virgin Galactic to halt Unity suborbital flights by mid-2024" . Retrieved 11 November 2020.
  42. ↑ @virgingalactic (13 December 2018). "We travelled at 2.9 Mach on the way up to today. That's 2.9 times the speed of sound" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  43. ↑ @virgingalactic (22 February 2019). "Mach 3.0" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  44. ↑ Grush, Loren (22 February 2019). "Virgin Galactic spaceplane reaches space with first passenger on board". The Verge. Archived from the original on 30 November 2022. Retrieved 4 April 2023.
  45. ↑ "Virgin Galactic Update on Test Flight Program". Archived from the original on 11 July 2021. Retrieved 4 July 2021.
  46. ↑ "VSS Unity aborts after engine start, safely lands with crew back at Spaceport America". 12 December 2020. Retrieved 23 May 2021.
  47. ↑ "Virgin Galactic successfully makes first human spaceflight from New Mexico". 22 May 2021. Retrieved 23 May 2021.
  48. ↑ "Virgin Galactic cleared to resume space flights". BBC. 30 September 2021.
  49. ↑ "Virgin Galactic is GO for launch". Virgin Galactic (Press release). 17 May 2023. Retrieved 19 May 2023.
  50. ↑ "Virgin Galactic". www.virgingalactic.com. Retrieved 25 May 2023.
  51. ↑ Jonathan McDowell [@planet4589] (29 June 2023). "Galactic 01 stats: launch 1528:38 UTC, apogee 85.1 km, flight time from drop to main gear touchdown 13m50s. Drop location EBR P3 in my launch points list (107.0W 33.3N)" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  52. ↑ Jonathan McDowell [@planet4589] (10 August 2023). "I don't quite agree with these numbers. I have takeoff of White Knight 2 at 1429:45 UTC (in agreement with their 8.30 am MDT) but landing of SS2 at 1532:48 UTC (9.32 am MDT). Release time 1517:10 UTC and SS2 free flight time 15:38 with apogee 88.5 km" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  53. ↑ Jonathan McDowell [@planet4589] (8 September 2023). "Virgin Galactic few Spaceship Two mission Galactic 03 on Sep 8. VMS Eve took off at 1434 UTC and dropped VSS Unity over the usual drop point (EBR P3 in my list) at about 1522:13 UTC. Unity boosted to 88.6 km apogee and landed at Spaceport America at 1535 UTC" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  54. ↑ "Core memory unlocked. Welcome to space, #Galactic03. Congratulations, 014, 015, and 016!". X (formerly Twitter). Retrieved 8 September 2023.
  55. ↑ "Virgin Galactic completes fifth successful flight in five months". Virgin Galactic (Press release). 6 October 2023. Retrieved 7 October 2023.
  56. ↑ "'Galactic 05' research mission set to become Virgin Galactic's sixth flight in six months". Virgin Galactic (Press release). 18 October 2023. Retrieved 19 October 2023.
  57. ↑ Jonathan McDowell [@planet4589] (26 January 2024). "The @VirginGalactic Galactic 06 mission was launched from the WK02 carrier plane at 1742:05 UTC Jan 26 following takeoff around 1700 UTC. After a one minute rocket burn, SS2 reached an apogee of 88.8 km and landed after an approximately 14 minute free flight. (1/2)" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  58. ↑ "Virgin Galactic: SpaceShipTwo beginnt Flugerprobung". flugrevue.de. 13 September 2016. Archived from the original on 11 November 2016. Retrieved 5 December 2016.
  59. ↑ "Virgin Galactic Postpones 1st Glide Test with New SpaceShipTwo". space.com. Retrieved 5 December 2016.
  60. ↑ "Update from Mojave: Successful First Glide Flight Test for VSS Unity – Virgin Galactic". Virgin Galactic. 3 December 2016. Archived from the original on 13 May 2017. Retrieved 20 March 2017.
  61. ↑ "Bransons "VSS Unity" absolvierte ersten Gleitflug". krone.at. Retrieved 5 December 2016.
  62. ↑ "Virgin Galactic spaceship makes first glide flight". phys.org. 3 December 2016. Retrieved 5 December 2016.
  63. ↑ David Millward (4 December 2016). "Virgin Galactic's space programme moves forward as SpaceShipTwo carries out first successful glide test". telegraph.co.uk. Retrieved 5 December 2016.
  64. ↑ Weston Williams (5 December 2016). "Space tourism: Virgin Galactic makes successful glide test". Christian Science Monitor . Retrieved 5 December 2015.
  65. ↑ Boyle, Alan (22 December 2016). "Virgin Galactic sneaks in just one more SpaceShipTwo glide test to cap off 2016". GeekWire. Retrieved 23 December 2016.
  66. ↑ "Update from Mojave: First Feather Flight of VSS Unity Completed". Virgin Galactic. 1 May 2017. Retrieved 6 May 2017.
  67. ↑ Wall, Mike (1 June 2017). "Virgin Galactic's VSS Unity Makes 5th 'Glide Flight' (Photos)". space.com. Retrieved 22 June 2017.
  68. ↑ "Virgin Galactic's VSS Unity edges closer to space". newatlas.com. 8 August 2017. Retrieved 1 June 2018.
  69. ↑ "Update from Mojave: VSS Unity Flies with Propulsion Systems Installed and Live". Virgin Galactic. 4 August 2017. Retrieved 16 August 2017.
  70. ↑ Camacho, Marian (11 January 2018). "SpaceShip Two test flight a success". kob.com. Archived from the original on 29 March 2018. Retrieved 11 January 2018.
  71. ↑ Krishna, Swapna (11 January 2018). "Virgin Galactic's SpaceShipTwo is almost ready for powered tests". engadget.com. Retrieved 11 January 2018.
  72. ↑ "Update from Mojave: VSS Unity successfully completes high speed glide flight". virgingalactic.com. 11 January 2018. Retrieved 15 January 2018.
  73. ↑ Wall, Mike (11 January 2018). "Virgin Galactic's VSS Unity Soars on 7th Glide Flight (Photo)". space.com. Retrieved 15 January 2018.
  74. ↑ Sheetz, Michael (5 April 2018). "Virgin Galactic completes first rocket powered, supersonic flight of new spacecraft Unity". cnbc.com. Retrieved 5 April 2018.
  75. ↑ "The second powered flight of Virgin Galactic's spaceplane featured extra passenger seats". theverge.com. 29 May 2018. Retrieved 1 June 2018.
  76. ↑ "Second SpaceShipTwo makes second powered test flight – SpaceNews.com". spacenews.com. 29 May 2018. Retrieved 1 June 2018.
  77. ↑ Wall, Mike (29 May 2018). "Success! Virgin Galactic's VSS Unity Space Plane Aces 2nd Powered Test Flight". space.com. Retrieved 4 June 2018.
  78. 1 2 "Into the Mesosphere at Mach 2". Virgin Galactic. 26 July 2018. Retrieved 26 July 2018.
  79. ↑ Boyle, Alan (26 July 2018). "Virgin Galactic's SpaceShipTwo rocket plane sails through third supersonic flight". geekwire.com. Retrieved 26 July 2018.
  80. ↑ Weitering, Hanneke; July 26, Space com Staff Writer; ET, 2018 03:26pm. "Virgin Galactic's VSS Unity Space Plane Aces Test Flight, Reaching Mesosphere for the 1st Time". Space.com. Retrieved 14 December 2018.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  81. ↑ Grush, Lauren (13 December 2018). "Virgin Galactic's spaceplane finally makes it to space for the first time". theverge.com. Retrieved 13 December 2018.
  82. ↑ "Branson's Virgin Galactic successfully reaches space". BBC. 13 December 2018. Retrieved 13 December 2018.
  83. 1 2 3 4 "Virgin Galactic". www.virgingalactic.com. Retrieved 22 February 2019.
  84. ↑ Bartels, Meghan (22 February 2019). "Virgin Galactic Reaches Space Again, Flies Test Passenger for 1st Time". space.com. Retrieved 22 February 2018.
  85. 1 2 3 4 "Virgin Galactic's SpaceshipTwo Completes First Flight From Spaceport America". www.virgingalactic.com. Retrieved 13 May 2020.
  86. 1 2 3 "Virgin Galactic's SpaceshipTwo Completes Second Flight From Spaceport America". www.virgingalactic.com. Retrieved 25 June 2020.
  87. ↑ Gebhardt, Chris; Burghardt, Thomas (12 December 2020). "VSS Unity aborts after engine start, safely lands with crew back at Spaceport America".
  88. ↑ "Virgin Galactic rocket plane flies to edge of space". BBC News. 22 May 2021.
  89. ↑ "Virgin Galactic Successfully Completes First Fully Crewed Spaceflight". 11 July 2021.
  90. ↑ "Virgin Galactic completes glide flight from Spaceport America". Virgin Galactic (Press release). 26 April 2023. Retrieved 28 April 2023.
  91. ↑ "Virgin Galactic completes successful spaceflight". Virgin Galactic (Press release). 25 May 2023. Retrieved 25 May 2023.
  92. ↑ "Virgin Galactic completes Unity 25 spaceflight in key final test before commercial service". CNBC News. 25 May 2023.
  93. ↑ Jonathan McDowell [@planet4589] (29 June 2023). "Galactic 01 stats: launch 1528:38 UTC, apogee 85.1 km, flight time from drop to main gear touchdown 13m50s. Drop location EBR P3 in my launch points list (107.0W 33.3N)" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  94. ↑ Jonathan McDowell [@planet4589] (10 August 2023). "I don't quite agree with these numbers. I have takeoff of White Knight 2 at 1429:45 UTC (in agreement with their 8.30 am MDT) but landing of SS2 at 1532:48 UTC (9.32 am MDT). Release time 1517:10 UTC and SS2 free flight time 15:38 with apogee 88.5 km" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  95. ↑ "Core memory unlocked. Welcome to space, #Galactic03. Congratulations, 014, 015, and 016!". X (formerly Twitter). Retrieved 8 September 2023.
  96. ↑ "Virgin Galactic completes fifth successful flight in five months". Virgin Galactic (Press release). 6 October 2023. Retrieved 7 October 2023.
  97. ↑ "Virgin Galactic Completes Sixth Successful Spaceflight in Six Months". Virgin Galactic (Press release). 2 November 2023. Retrieved 3 November 2023.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.