The SpaceShipTwo VSS Unity successfully launched Branson and five crewmates 53 miles above the Earth’s surface. (Image Credit: Virgin Galactic)
On July 11th, Virgin Galactic founder Richard Branson and five crew members briefly reached the edge of space aboard Virgin Galactic’s SpaceShipTwo spaceplane, the company’s first fully crewed flight. At 8:40 a.m. local time (10.40 a.m. EDT), the Virgin Galactic Unity 22 test flight launched from its Spaceport America facility in New Mexico.
The aircraft, called VMS EVE, lifted Branson and his crew (two pilots and four mission specialists) to an altitude of over eight miles. Then, the SpaceShipTwo vehicle called VSS Unity, separated from the main ship’s two fuselages. Unity then fired its hybrid rocket motor that used a solid and liquid propellant mixture to enter the boost phase.
It successfully administrated a suborbital test flight, ascending to 53 miles above the Earth’s surface. While there, Branson and his crew experienced four minutes of weightlessness before they sat down in their seats to prepare for a return to Earth. Both pilots, Dave Mackay and Mike Masucci, then feathered Unity’s twin tail booms, providing stability while entering the atmosphere.
A view of Unity’s feathered tail and the Earth during the suborbital test flight. (Image Credit: Virgin Galactic)
Finally, the plane smoothly glided back down to Spaceport America’s runway landing. However, this journey had a 90-minute delay due to bad weather from the previous night. Virgin Galactic’s ultimate goal was to test its flight for future passengers. This was Unity’s 22nd flight but launched for the fourth time in space.
The four mission specialists assessed different experiences for Virgin Galactic’s future customers. Srisha Bandla, Virgin Galactic’s vice president of government affairs and research operations, tested experiment performance experiences aboard Unity during different flight phases. Meanwhile, Branson determined how to improve the journey for customers. Beth Moses, Virgin Galactic’s Chief Astronaut Trainer, ensured everyone’s safety during their tests. Colin Bennet, Virgin Galactic’s lead operation engineer, evaluated Unity’s cabin performance to find potential improvements.
According to a company-issued statement, the crew plans to evaluate the vehicles and start a data review. The aim is to advise the company’s flight program and future missions. This flight was originally planned for later this summer. Branson moved it ahead of schedule after Blue Origin announced plans to launch its rocket into space from West Texas on July 20th. The company plans on performing another two test flights before commercial service begins in 2022. Over six people have already reserved their spot for a flight, costing $250,000 per person. It's sad.. only a few people will get to experience this. Let's hope someday it'll be as ubiquitous as the bus.
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