Virgin Galactic is gearing up to make its first commercial flight into space. The spaceflight company will be making one last test for the final assessment.
Virgin Galactic Will Launch Its First Flight in 2 Years
Virgin Galactic is getting ready to fly with a crew for the first time in almost two years. The space tourism business did not provide a date for the launch of its Unity 25 crew into space, which will take place later this month, The Verge reported.
Prior to Virgin Galactic's first commercial flight, which is scheduled for the end of June, the upcoming voyage will serve as the final evaluation of the full spaceflight system and astronaut experience. Four Virgin Galactic employees - Beth Moses, Luke Mays, Jamila Gilbert, and Christopher Huie - will be sent into space on Unity 25, the company's fifth space mission.
This launch will utilize two spacecraft, the VSS Unity and the VMS Eve, just like Virgin Galactic's other space missions. The VMS Eve is the mothership that launches Unity into space, while the VSS Unity is the rocket-powered spaceplane that takes Virgin Galactic's passengers.
The spacecraft launches into suborbital space after Eve dumps Unity when the two are at about 50,000 feet in altitude, giving passengers a brief period of weightlessness as they take in the view of Earth from high above.
According to Virgin Galactic, established by British billionaire Richard Branson, who participated in the company's final space voyage in July 2021, the Unity 25 mission will launch in late May with four company employees on board.
Virgin Galactic's last flight was in July 2021. The spaceflight took Virgin CEO Richard Branson and three others onboard. It was a success, but the company has struggled financially recently. It lost money, and its sister company Virgin Orbit went bankrupt in April.
Virgin Galactic's direct competitor is Jeff Bezos' Blue Origin. It charges $450,000 for a seat onboard, and if all goes well, the company might be able to turn things around after its first commercial spaceflight.
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More About Virgin Galactic Spaceflight
On its website, the company offers its passengers the opportunity to experience weightlessness, witness the amazing views of Earth from outer space, and go through a life-changing transformation through its innovative spaceflight system.
The 90-minute journey will take off from a smooth runway as the spaceship is attached to the mothership. The system uses an air launch to ensure a calm and enjoyable release.
It will ascend at the release altitude of 50,000 feet before it is freed from the mothership. After a brief moment, the rocket will air launch and propel the spaceship to space at a speed three times the speed of sound. After one minute, the pilot will shut down the motor, and the passengers can unbuckle, float out of their seats, and enjoy the view from the windows.
It uses feather technology to make the re-entry smooth. The vehicle will glide back to the same runway where it takes off.
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