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Virgin Galactic Space Travel - Latest News

THE ULTIMATE TRAVEL EXPERIENCE

View all the latest News and Updates on Virgin Galactic here:


10 January 2014 -
Third rocket-powered supersonic flight of SpaceShipTwo
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Today, Virgin Galactic successfully completed the third rocket-powered supersonic flight of SpaceShipTwo (SS2), its passenger-carrying space vehicle. The flight departed Mojave Air and Space Port with the first stage consisting of the WhiteKnightTwo (WK2) carrier aircraft lifting SS2 to an altitude around 46,000 feet. On release, SS2’s rocket motor was ignited, powering the spaceship to a planned altitude of 71,000 feet – SS2’s highest altitude to date – and a maximum speed of Mach 1.4.

Two important SS2 systems were tested in preparation for upcoming full space flights; the Reaction Control System – which will allow its pilots to manoeuvre the vehicle in space, permitting an optimal viewing experience for those on-board and aiding the positioning process for spacecraft re-entry, and the thermal protection coating on the vehicle’s tail booms which will help maintain vehicle skin temperatures while the rocket motor is firing.

SS2’s propulsion system has been developed by Sierra Nevada Corp and is the world’s largest operational hybrid rocket motor. Although the test flight saw it burn for a planned twenty seconds, the system has been successfully tested in ground firings to demonstrate performance characteristics and burn time sufficient to take the spaceship and its private astronauts to space.

Commenting on the successful test flight, Sir Richard Branson said: “I couldn’t be happier to start the New Year with all the pieces visibly in place for the start of full space flights. 2014 will be the year when we will finally put our beautiful spaceship in her natural environment of space. Today, we had our own Chief Pilot flying another flawless supersonic flight and proving the various systems required to take us safely to space, as well as providing the very best experience while we’re up there.”

06 September 2013 -
SpaceShipTwo (SS2) successfully completes all of the technical mission
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SpaceShipTwo (SS2) successfully completes all of the technical mission phases - in a single flight, for the first time - and company confirms it’s on track to commence its commercial service in 2014 MOJAVE, California was the centre of great excitement, when Virgin Galactic - the world’s first commercial space-line owned by Sir Richard Branson’s Virgin Group and Abu Dhabi's aabar Investments PJS - successfully completed their second rocket-powered, supersonic flight of the passenger carrying, reusable space vehicle, SpaceShipTwo (SS2).

In addition to achieving the highest altitude and greatest speed to date, the test flight demonstrated, for the first time in a single flight, the vehicle’s full technical mission profile, including a high altitude deployment of the unique wing “feathering” re-entry mechanism.

“We couldn’t be more delighted to have another major supersonic milestone under our belts as we move toward a 2014 start of commercial service,” said Virgin Galactic Founder Sir Richard Branson. “It was particularly thrilling to see, for the first time today, the whole elegant system in action during a single flight, including the remarkable feathering re-entry system. It was this safety feature more than anything else that originally persuaded us that the overall design of the system was uniquely fit for purpose. Everything we have seen today just confirms that view. Congratulations to all involved!”

At approximately 8am local time, the company’s WhiteKnightTwo (WK2) carrier aircraft took off from the Mojave Air and Space Port, carrying SS2 to an altitude of 46,000 feet. Virgin Galactic Chief Pilot Dave Mackay was at the WK2 controls, assisted by Scaled Composites (Scaled) co-pilot Mike Alsbury and The Spaceship Company Flight Test Engineer, Scott Glaser.

Upon release from WK2, SS2 pilots Mark Stucky and Clint Nichols, (both of Scaled), ignited the rocket motor for the planned 20-second burn, propelling the spaceship to 69,000 feet. During this time, SS2 achieved a maximum speed of Mach 1.43, landing in Mojave at 9:25am local time, with the pilots reporting a “flawless flight”.

“Today, we expanded the SpaceShipTwo rocket-powered flight test envelope with a longer burn duration and more robust testing of the feather mechanism, supersonic aerodynamics and wing lift structure,” said Virgin Galactic CEO George Whitesides. “Each powered flight of SpaceShipTwo yields cumulative progress that builds the foundation for safe and exciting commercial space flights.”

Chairman of aabar Investments PJS, H.E. Khadem Al Qubaisi, commented:“This flight milestone represents a key step forward for the Virgin Galactic team. The successful completion of all major aspects of the flight mission demonstrates that we are very close to achieving one of Galactic’s key goals: commercialising access to space for the public. I would like to congratulate the whole team on their continued success.”

29 April 2013 -
First rocket-powered flight of Virgin Galactic’s space vehicle
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Sir Richard Branson was thrilled to witness the first rocket-powered flight of Virgin Galactic’s space vehicle, SpaceShipTwo (SS2). The test took place on Monday 29 April and was conducted by teams from Scaled Composites (the company that built SS2 for Virgin Galactic), Virgin Galactic, the world’s first commercial spaceline owned by Sir Richard Branson’s Virgin Group and Abu Dhabi’s aabar Investments PJS, successfully completing their year-end goal for spaceflight and officially marking the beginning of the company’s final phase of testing, prior to operating a commercial service from Spaceport America, New Mexico. Reporting on the event, Sir Richard Branson said: “The first powered flight of Virgin Spaceship Enterprise was without any doubt, our single most important flight test to date. For the first time, we were able to prove the key components of the system, fully integrated and in flight. Today’s supersonic success opens the way for a rapid expansion of the spaceship’s powered flight envelope, with a very realistic goal of full space flight by the year’s end. We saw history in the making today and I couldn’t be more proud of everyone involved.”

Virgin Galactic Test
24 July 2012 -
Latest Virgin Galactic video
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View the latest Virgin Galactic video by   clicking here.

30 May 2012 -
Experimental launch permit from the Federal Aviation Administration
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Virgin Galactic, the world's first commercial spaceline, announced today that its vehicle developer, Scaled Composites has been granted an experimental launch permit from the Federal Aviation Administration for its suborbital spacecraft, SpaceshipTwo, and the carrier aircraft WhiteKnightTwo. They have already made progress with their flight test program, with 80 test flights successfully completed.

19 March 2012 -
Virgin Galactic booked their 500th passenger/astronaut - Hollywood star Ashton Kutcher!!
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Today Virgin Galactic announced another great achievement when they confirmed that they have just booked their 500th passenger/astronaut - Hollywood star Ashton Kutcher!! Sir Richard Branson called Ashton to congratulate and welcome him. He is as thrilled as they are at the prospect of being among the first to cross the final frontier (and back!) with Virgin Galactic and to experience the magic of space for himself.

6 September 2013 -
Virgin Galactic's Second Supersonic Flight
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VIRGIN GALACTIC’S SECOND SUPERSONIC FLIGHT SUCCESSFULLY TESTS SPACESHIPTWO’S UNIQUE FEATHER MECHANISM

SpaceShipTwo (SS2) successfully completes all of the technical mission phases - in a single flight, for the first time - and company confirms it’s on track to commence its commercial service in 2014 MOJAVE, California was the centre of great excitement, when Virgin Galactic - the world’s first commercial space-line owned by Sir Richard Branson’s Virgin Group and Abu Dhabi's aabar Investments PJS - successfully completed their second rocket-powered, supersonic flight of the passenger carrying, reusable space vehicle, SpaceShipTwo (SS2). In addition to achieving the highest altitude and greatest speed to date, the test flight demonstrated, for the first time in a single flight, the vehicle’s full technical mission profile, including a high altitude deployment of the unique wing “feathering” re-entry mechanism. “We couldn’t be more delighted to have another major supersonic milestone under our belts as we move toward a 2014 start of commercial service,” said Virgin Galactic Founder Sir Richard Branson. “It was particularly thrilling to see, for the first time today, the whole elegant system in action during a single flight, including the remarkable feathering re-entry system. It was this safety feature more than anything else that originally persuaded us that the overall design of the system was uniquely fit for purpose. Everything we have seen today just confirms that view. Congratulations to all involved!” At approximately 8am local time, the company’s WhiteKnightTwo (WK2) carrier aircraft took off from the Mojave Air and Space Port, carrying SS2 to an altitude of 46,000 feet. Virgin Galactic Chief Pilot Dave Mackay was at the WK2 controls, assisted by Scaled Composites (Scaled) co-pilot Mike Alsbury and The Spaceship Company Flight Test Engineer, Scott Glaser. Upon release from WK2, SS2 pilots Mark Stucky and Clint Nichols, (both of Scaled), ignited the rocket motor for the planned 20-second burn, propelling the spaceship to 69,000 feet. During this time, SS2 achieved a maximum speed of Mach 1.43, landing in Mojave at 9:25am local time, with the pilots reporting a “flawless flight”. “Today, we expanded the SpaceShipTwo rocket-powered flight test envelope with a longer burn duration and more robust testing of the feather mechanism, supersonic aerodynamics and wing lift structure,” said Virgin Galactic CEO George Whitesides. “Each powered flight of SpaceShipTwo yields cumulative progress that builds the foundation for safe and exciting commercial space flights.” Chairman of aabar Investments PJS, H.E. Khadem Al Qubaisi, commented: “This flight milestone represents a key step forward for the Virgin Galactic team. The successful completion of all major aspects of the flight mission demonstrates that we are very close to achieving one of Galactic’s key goals: commercialising access to space for the public. I would like to congratulate the whole team on their continued success.”

Each member of our space team is available to arrange all the elements of your booking, and will happily share their personal experiences of the training.

Virgin Galactic Updates


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