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

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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

 

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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.

 

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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.

 

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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.

 

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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."
A launch webcast hosted by Stephen Colbert begins at 10:30 a.m. EDT (1430 GMT).

by Tariq Malik
July 11, 2021

 

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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.

 

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Article "Virgin Galactic sets first commercial space tourism flight for this month; shares spike more than 40%"

by Michael Sheetz
June 15, 2023

 

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Article "Virgin Galactic raises $300 million, seeks another $400 million to expand spacecraft fleet"

by Michael Sheetz
June 22, 2023

 

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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)

 

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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.

 

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Article "Virgin Galactic successfully flies tourists to space for first time"
Six individuals were aboard VSS Unity space plane, including first mother-daughter duo to venture to space together

by Maya Yang
August 10, 2023

 

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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).

 

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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).

 

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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).

 

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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”.

 

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Galactic 07 spaceflight

Jun 8, 2024

Galactic 07, Virgin Galactic’s seventh commercial spaceflight, was launched from Spaceport America, New Mexico, on 8 June 2024, at 08:31 local time. VSS Unity, the second SpaceShipTwo, transported four passengers (Tuva Cihangir Atasever, Anand “Andy” Harish Sadhwani, Irving Izchak Pergament, Giorgio Manenti) and several suborbital research payloads. The flight reached an apogee of 54.4 miles (~87.5 km).