Richard Branson on first crewed Virgin Galactic flight reaches space
Posted on 12 Jul 2021 and read 1683 times
Virgin Galactic’s VSS Unity successfully reached space yesterday, completing the company’s fourth rocket-powered spaceflight.
It was the 22nd test flight of VSS Unity and the first one with a full crew in the cabin, including the company’s founder, Sir Richard Branson. The crew fulfilled a number of test objectives related to the cabin and customer experience, including evaluating the commercial customer cabin, the views of Earth from space, the conditions for conducting research and the effectiveness of the five-day pre-flight training programme at Spaceport America.
Michael Colglazier, Virgin Galactic CEO, said: “This is a landmark achievement for the company and a historic moment for the new commercial space industry. With each successful mission we are paving the way for the next generation of astronauts.
“I want to thank our talented team, including our pilots and crew, whose dedication and commitment made today possible. They are helping open the door for greater access to space – so it can be for the many and not just for the few.”
VSS Unity achieved a speed of Mach 3 after being released from the mothership, VMS Eve. The vehicle reached space, at an altitude of 53.5 miles, before gliding smoothly to a runway landing at Spaceport America.
Commercial service
This seminal moment for Virgin Galactic and Sir Richard Branson was streamed to audiences around the world. It gave a glimpse of the journey Virgin Galactic’s Future Astronauts can expect when the company launches commercial service following the completion of its test flight programme.
Sir Richard Branson said: “I have dreamt about this moment since I was a child, but nothing could have prepared me for the view of Earth from space. We are at the vanguard of a new space age. As Virgin’s founder, I was honoured to test the incredible customer experience as part of this remarkable crew of mission specialists and now astronaut and I can’t wait to share this experience with aspiring astronauts around the world.”
He concluded: “Our mission is to make space more accessible to all. In that spirit, and with this successful flight of VSS Unity, I am thrilled to announce a partnership with Omaze and Space for Humanity to inspire the next generation of dreamers. For so long, we have looked back in wonder at the space pioneers of yesterday. Now, I want the astronauts of tomorrow to look forward and make their own dreams come true.”