Virgin Galactic has successfully launched their spaceplane called VSS Unity into space, marking a new chapter in the burgeoning space tourism industry.
After being carried to an altitude of roughly 43,000 ft (8 mi) by jet, the spacecraft with two test pilots onboard ignited its rocket engine and flew to an altitude of about 269,280 ft (51 mi).
With NASA and the US Air Force recognizing the altitude of 262,467 ft (50 mi) to be the boundary of space, Virgin Galactic’s test flight represents the first crewed vehicle built for commercial and passenger service to have reached space and it is also the first human spaceflight to have launched from US soil since the last Space Shuttle launch in 2011.
Upon the VSS Unity’s return to Earth, Virgin Galactic CEO Richard Branson reportedly stated: “Space is Virgin territory!”
With more than 600 potential passengers already signed up to fly on board the Virgin SpaceShipTwo VSS Unity, Virgin Galactic has designed its spacecraft to enable an unprecedented view of space:
“For many Virgin Galactic astronauts, the trip to space will be defined by the views. For this reason, SpaceshipTwo has more windows than any other spacecraft in history, allowing each astronaut to look out into the cosmos and back to our beautiful planet below – with a new perspective in each direction.”
“Today, for the first time in history, a crewed spaceship, built to carry private passengers, reached space,” said Virgin Galactic Founder Richard Branson. “Today we completed our first revenue generating flight and our pilots earned their Commercial Astronaut Wings. Today, we have shown that Virgin Galactic really can open space to change the world for good. We will now push on with the remaining portion of our flight test program, which will see the rocket motor burn for longer and VSS Unity fly still faster and higher towards giving thousands of private astronauts an experience which provides a new, planetary perspective to our relationship with the Earth and the cosmos. This is a momentous day and I could not be more proud of our teams who together have opened a new chapter of space exploration.”
George Whitesides, CEO of Virgin Galactic, said: “What we witnessed today is more compelling evidence that commercial space is set to become one of the twenty-first century’s defining industries. Reusable vehicles built and operated by private companies are about to transform our business and personal lives in ways which are as yet hard to imagine. New enterprises are being created which will become hugely valuable, while enabling humanity to better manage some of its greatest future challenges.”
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