SpaceShipTwo, SpaceShip III, suborbital, air-launched spaceplanes designed for space tourism, Virgin Galactic Holdings, Inc., Las Cruces, New Mexico, USA

[Airicist]

Contributors:

Virgin Galactic Holdings, Inc. (https://pr.ai/showthread.php?4432)

Scaled Composites, LLC (https://pr.ai/showthread.php?t=19853)

SpaceShipTwo (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SpaceShipTwo) on Wikipedia

VSS Unity (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/VSS_Unity) on Wikipedia

[Airicist]

https://youtu.be/AwOnU6L-6sc

SpaceShipTwo Crash - First Hand Account From Mojave

Published on Oct 31, 2014


Parabolic Arc managing editor Doug Messier was one of the first on the scene of crash site in California and tells Space.com's @TariqJMalik what he saw. Full Story:
"Virgin Galactic's SpaceShipTwo Crashes in Test Flight: 1 Dead, 1 Injured (https://www.space.com/27618-virgin-galactic-spaceshiptwo-crash-kills-pilot.html)"

by Miriam Kramer, Space.com
October 31, 2014

[Airicist]

https://youtu.be/ZVIik8v_zI8

SpaceShipTwo Wreckage Investigated By NTSB

Published on Nov 1, 2014


National Transportation Safety Board investigators were at the crash site in Mojave, California on Nov. 1st, 2014. Full Coverage: http://goo.gl/OCE9v6

[Airicist]

https://youtu.be/7mC_KxmYvhQ

SpaceShipTwo - Catastrophic Failure Moment

Published on Jul 28, 2015


The NTSB has released video showing several angles of the doomed SpaceShipTwo flight, from initial separation from the White Knight carrier aircraft to the moment when the ‘feather’ was manually unlocked, too early in the flight, causing the accident. -- NTSB Investigates Wreckage

[Airicist]

https://youtu.be/P_1xFlo2jHo

Virgin Galactic's new Spaceshiptwo is designed to not crash

Published on Feb 19, 2016


Virgin Galactic unveiled its new SpaceShipTwo, its latest shuttle designed to more safely bring tourists on sub-orbital space flights.

[Airicist]

https://youtu.be/Y7ix6HHL-JM

Virgin Galactic unveils its new SpaceShipTwo vehicle

Published on Feb 19, 2016


Today, private spaceflight company Virgin Galactic showed off the new version of its SpaceShipTwo vehicle. It’s the spaceplane the company will use to replace the old SpaceShipTwo, which crashed during a test flight in 2014. This new vehicle — called the VSS Unity — is basically identical to its predecessor, except for a few key changes meant to make it safer.

[Airicist]

https://youtu.be/zV1g-dyzYx4

Elevating Unity - Episode 1: Captive Carry

Published on Sep 9, 2016


On September 8, 2016, our new SpaceShipTwo--VSS Unity--took to the skies for the first time. This is first ever flight of a vehicle built by our manufacturing organization, The Spaceship Company.

In this video, Mike Moses--our Senior Vice President of Operations, and a NASA veteran who oversaw dozens of successful flights to space--helps explain this flight and how it fits into the context of our full testing program.

[Airicist]

https://youtu.be/QMORvjo-n1I

VSS Unity first glide flight test

Published on Dec 4, 2016


VSS Unity, Virgin Galactic’s second SpaceShipTwo, successfully completed its first glide flight test on 3 December 2016. The flight test lasted 1 hour 20 minute, with VSS Unity in free flight for 10 minutes and achieving a maximum speed of approximately Mach 0.6 while gliding from an altitude of 15 kilometers. Both VSS Unity and the WhiteKnightTwo mothership (VMS Eve) returned safely to ground.

[Airicist]

https://youtu.be/X0WQ0KjScOU

Elevating Unity - Episode 2: Glide Flight

Published on Dec 5, 2016


On December 3, 2016, our new SpaceShipTwo, VSS Unity, flew freely for the first time. This important test marks the first time that a vehicle built by our manufacturing organization, The Spaceship Company, has flown fully under its own control.

In this video, Lead Test Pilot, Mark "Forger" Stucky, explains what it's like flying VSS Unity for the first time.

[Airicist]

https://youtu.be/8s-zY86Ec-I

VSS Unity first powered flight

Published on Apr 5, 2018


VSS Unity flew beautifully, going supersonic for the first time under rocket power in Mojave, California on 5th April, 2018.

[Airicist]

https://youtu.be/ISOkeQXQzAo

Virgin Galactic's Spaceship Unity Soars in 2nd Powered Flight

Published on May 30, 2018


Virgin Galactic's suborbital space plane 'Unity' had its second powered flight on May 29, 2018.

"Success! Virgin Galactic's VSS Unity Space Plane Aces 2nd Powered Test Flight (https://www.space.com/40723-virgin-galactic-spaceshiptwo-2nd-powered-test-flight.html)"

by Mike Wall
May 29, 2018

[Airicist]

https://youtu.be/WRxZnOAJGu8

VSS Unity second rocket powered flight

Published on May 30, 2018


Watch uncut telescopic footage of VSS Unity's second supersonic rocket powered flight; from release, through boost, into feathered decent and glide

[Airicist]

https://youtu.be/EczI8K1HsiM

VSS Unity’s first human passenger

Published on Feb 22, 2019


VSS Unity, Virgin Galactic’s second SpaceShipTwo, completed its fifth supersonic powered test flight on 22 February 2019, reaching an apogee of 89.9km (55.85miles, 294,9007ft). VSS Unity was piloted by Virgin Galactic pilots Mark “Forger” Stucky and Frederick “CJ” Sturckow, with Beth Moses, Virgin Galactic’s Chief Astronaut Instructor, as a passenger.
Credit: Virgin Galactic

[Airicist]

https://youtu.be/kmPG0Hqhay8

Virgin Galactic in space for the second time

Published on Feb 24, 2019


On 22nd February 2019, Virgin Galactic's SpaceShipTwo flew into space at three times the speed of sound with three crew members on board.

[Airicist]

https://youtu.be/EJ2f6ZBq5UE

Virgin Galactic brings its first passenger into space | What the Future

Published on Feb 27, 2019


Astronaut trainer Beth Moses becomes Virgin Galactic's first passenger to fly to the edge of space. Also, we check out a new autonomous underwater drone named Orpheus, which was made to explore the deepest parts of Earth's oceans. Lastly, new research suggests that the gene-edited CRISPR babies born late last year might have changes in their cognition from the controversial procedure.

[Airicist]

https://youtu.be/ua-S_-0w6aA

Virgin Galactic's VSS Unity lands at new Spaceport America home

Feb 18, 2020


Virgin Galactic is moving to New Mexico! Watch the VSS Unity and its mothership Eve land at Spaceport America.

"Virgin Galactic's VSS Unity space plane arrives at New Mexico spaceport (https://www.space.com/virgin-galactic-spaceshiptwo-unity-spaceport-america.html)"

by Mike Wall
February 14, 2020

[Airicist]

https://youtu.be/tzS6quajWnw

SpaceShipTwo Unity completes first flight from Spaceport America

May 3, 2020


This glide flight marks the inaugural solo flight of VSS Unity in New Mexico and as such is an important flight test milestone in preparation for commercial service.

[Airicist]

https://youtu.be/LC286Dnq4M4

Virgin Galactic Spaceship cabin design reveal

Jul 28, 2020


Join a virtual walkthrough of SpaceShipTwo Unity's cabin, curated by our design team.
Want to fly to space with us? Join our community of Spacefarers to take One Small Step towards reserving your seat on our flights.

[Airicist]

https://youtu.be/nq_cBw9la2U

SpaceShipTwo Unity landing

Dec 12, 2020


Today’s flight landed beautifully, with pilots, planes, and spaceship safe, secure, and in excellent shape — the foundation of every successful mission!

Our flight today did not reach space as we had been planning. After being released from its mothership, SpaceShipTwo Unity's onboard computer that monitors the rocket motor lost connection. As designed, this triggered a fail-safe scenario that intentionally halted ignition of the rocket motor. Following this occurrence, our pilots flew back to Spaceport America and landed gracefully as usual.

As we do with every test flight, we are evaluating all the data, including the root cause assessment of the computer communication loss. We look forward to sharing information on our next flight window in the near future.

"Virgin Galactic traces SpaceShipTwo launch abort to bad computer connection (https://www.space.com/virgin-galactic-spaceshiptwo-launch-abort-cause)"
Virgin Galactic will fly again when VSS Unity is ready.

by Mike Wall
December 14, 2020

"Virgin Galactic remains Wall Street favorite despite rocket snafu (https://www.foxbusiness.com/technology/virgin-galactic-wall-street-favorite-despite-rocket-snafu)"
Multiple analysts kept their price targets and ratings despite the failure

by Chris Ciaccia
December 15, 2020

[Airicist]

https://youtu.be/UKiLv95mIVo

Future of our fleet

Premiered Mar 30, 2021

[Airicist]

https://youtu.be/snHeexWKfwQ

VSS Imagine - the first Virgin Galactic SpaceShip III

Mar 30, 2021


Virgin Galactic presented the company’s first Spaceship III - VSS Imagine, on 30 March 2021. Richard Branson (Founder, Virgin Galactic) unveils the origin of the name VSS Imagine and the new aspect of the SpaceShip.
Credit: Virgin Galactic

[Airicist]

https://youtu.be/4HrrtuTuuk0

First look at Virgin Galactic's VSS Imagine spaceship

Apr 1, 2021


Richard Branson's Virgin Galactic rolled out the first in its line of Spaceship III spacecraft. The VSS Imagine is the first new spaceship from the company since the VSS Unity in 2009.

[Airicist]

https://youtu.be/1TVs2lWk_GI

Virgin Galactic completes first-ever spaceflight from New Mexico

May 23, 2021


On May 22, 2021, Virgin Galactic's VSS Unity spaceship completed the first-ever human spaceflight from Spaceport America, New Mexico, with two pilots reaching apogee at 55.45 miles above ground. The flight is a meaningful step toward the opening of commercial space travel.

[Airicist]

https://youtu.be/PSNdG2JYXxY

Introducing Virgin Galactic Unity 22 Crew

Jul 2, 2021


Join us July 11th for our first fully crewed rocket powered test flight, and the beginning of a new space age. The countdown begins.

[Airicist]

https://youtu.be/KRsh2GsOk6E

WATCH LIVE: Virgin Galactic Unity 22 Spaceflight Livestream

Started streaming July 11, 2021


Join us July 11th for our first fully crewed rocket powered test flight, and the beginning of a new space age.

Aboard #Unity22 will be our team of two pilots and four mission specialists, including Sir Richard Branson. They will put our Future Astronaut spaceflight experience to a final test, while giving the world a preview of the life-changing experience.

"Virgin Galactic's SpaceShipTwo Unity 22 launch with Richard Branson: Here's when to watch and what to know. (https://www.space.com/virgin-galactic-richard-branson-unity-22-launch-explained)"
A launch webcast hosted by Stephen Colbert begins at 10:30 a.m. EDT (1430 GMT).

by Tariq Malik (https://www.linkedin.com/in/tariq-j-malik)
July 11, 2021

[Airicist2]

https://youtu.be/N4Icv0v8uLk

Virgin Galactic Unity 25 Spaceflight recap

May 26, 2023


Virgin Galactic returned to space with Unity 25, a successful mission from Spaceport America in New Mexcio. The crew included mission specialists Jamila Gilbert, Christopher Huie and Luke Mays. Now, Virgin Galactic will prepare for the launch of commercial service, starting with ‘Galactic 01’ Mission slated for late June.

[Airicist2]

Article "Virgin Galactic sets first commercial space tourism flight for this month; shares spike more than 40% (https://www.cnbc.com/2023/06/15/virgin-galactic-sets-first-commercial-space-tourism-flight.html)"

by Michael Sheetz (https://www.linkedin.com/in/michaeljsheetz)
June 15, 2023

[Airicist2]

Article "Virgin Galactic raises $300 million, seeks another $400 million to expand spacecraft fleet (https://www.cnbc.com/2023/06/22/virgin-galactic-spce-raises-300-million-seeks-another-400-million.html)"

by Michael Sheetz (https://www.linkedin.com/in/michaeljsheetz)
June 22, 2023

[Airicist2]

https://youtu.be/9ydj5o-ytY0

Galactic 01 - Virgin Galactic’s first commercial spaceflight

Jun 29, 2023


Galactic 01 - Virgin Galactic’s first commercial spaceflight – was launched from Spaceport America, New Mexico, on 29 June 2023, with VSS Unity being released from VMS Eve at 15:30 UTC (09:30 local time). VSS Unity, the second SpaceShipTwo, transported a full crew of two pilots, Michael Masucci (commande) and Nicola Pecile (pilot) and four mission specialists in the cabin: Col. Walter Villadei and Lt. Col. Angelo Landolfi from the Italian Air Force, Pantaleone Carlucci (engineer, National Research Council of Italy - CNR), Colin Bennett (astronaut instructor, Virgin Galactic). VMS Eve was piloted by Kelly Latimer (commander) and Jameel Janjua (pilot)

[Airicist2]

https://youtu.be/1t_URcod7mg

Galactic 02 - Virgin Galactic’s second commercial spaceflight

Aug 10, 2023


Galactic 02 - Virgin Galactic’s second commercial spaceflight – was launched from Spaceport America, New Mexico, on 10 August 2023, with VSS Unity being released from VMS Eve at 15:17 UTC (09:17 local time). VSS Unity, the second SpaceShipTwo, transported three private passengers: Jon Goodwin, Keisha Schahaff, Anastatia Mayers; as well as Beth Moses (Chief Astronaut Instructor), CJ Sturckow (pilot) and Kelly Latimer (pilot). VMS Eve was piloted by Nicola Pecile and Mike Masucci.

[Airicist2]

Article "Virgin Galactic successfully flies tourists to space for first time (https://www.theguardian.com/science/2023/aug/10/vigin-galactic-space-flight-vss-unity-landing)"
Six individuals were aboard VSS Unity space plane, including first mother-daughter duo to venture to space together

by Maya Yang (https://www.yangmaya.com)
August 10, 2023

[Airicist2]

https://youtu.be/3dihRePbnl0?si=eSiKQJEjkzWLaQCn

Galactic 03 - Virgin Galactic’s third commercial spaceflight

Sep 8, 2023


Galactic 03 - Virgin Galactic’s third commercial spaceflight – was launched from Spaceport America, New Mexico, on 8 September 2023, at 08:34 local time. VSS Unity, the second SpaceShipTwo, transported three private passengers: Ken Baxter, Timothy Nash and Adrian Reynard; as well as Beth Moses (Chief Astronaut Instructor). The flight reached an apogee of 55 miles (88,5 km).

[Airicist2]

https://youtu.be/8jgddkz2d7M?si=gNfhyGdFa5vLYIVZ

Galactic 04 spaceflight

Oct 7, 2023


Galactic 04 - Virgin Galactic’s fourth commercial spaceflight and fifth successful human space mission in five months - was launched from Spaceport America, New Mexico, on 6 October 2023, at 09:28 local time. VSS Unity, the second SpaceShipTwo, transported three private passengers: Ron Rosano, Trevor Beattie and Namira Salim; as well as Beth Moses (Chief Astronaut Instructor). The flight reached an apogee of 54.3 miles (~87 km).

[Airicist2]

https://youtu.be/hRIfo1ww5vA?si=MRot4Li1I3KZKBeA

Galactic 05 spaceflight

Nov 2, 2023


Galactic 05 - Virgin Galactic’s fifth commercial spaceflight and sixth successful human space mission in six months - was launched from Spaceport America, New Mexico, on 2 November 2023, at 09:00 local time. VSS Unity, the second SpaceShipTwo, transported three passengers: Dr. Alan Stern, Kellie Gerardi, Ketty Pucci-Sisti Maisonrouge; as well as Colin Bennett (Astronaut Instructor). The flight reached an apogee of 54.2m miles (~87 km).

[Airicist2]

https://youtu.be/wCVJE28PvOo?si=qBWVd_vUA8KGj56U

Galactic 06 spaceflight

Jan 26, 2024


Galactic 06, Virgin Galactic’s sixth commercial spaceflight, was launched from Spaceport America, New Mexico, on 26 January 2024, at 10:00 local time. VSS Unity, the second SpaceShipTwo, transported four passengers: Lina Borozdina, Robie Vaughn, Franz Haider, Neil Kornswiet. The flight reached an apogee of 55.2m miles (~88.8 km). “Galactic 06’ flight marked the first time all four seats aboard VSS Unity were occupied by private astronauts”.