SpaceShip Two Successful — Virgin To Start Sending Passengers To Space Next Year
The SpaceShip Two rocket plane performed another successful test flight on Tuesday, following a similar, successful flight last August, according to BBC News. SpaceShip Two was launched by the WhiteKnight Two carrier plane, which in turn was piloted by Pete Siebold from Scaled Composites and C.J. Sturckow for Virgin Galactic.
SpaceShip Two landed safely at California’s Mojave Air and Space Port to thunderous applause from Virgin Galactic, who documented the flight throughout the day via Twitter.
Here’s a photo of #SpaceShipTwo and WK2 before takeoff this morning. Credit: Scaled Composites / Jason DiVenere pic.twitter.com/aHNmYQD6sW
— Virgin Galactic (@virgingalactic) October 7, 2014
Another photo of #SpaceShipTwo and WhiteKnightTwo at takeoff this morning. Credit: Scaled Composites / Jason DiVenere pic.twitter.com/73iXoTp3bI
— Virgin Galactic (@virgingalactic) October 7, 2014
#SpaceShipTwo has been released by WhiteKnightTwo, and is now flying freely for the 34th time.
— Virgin Galactic (@virgingalactic) October 7, 2014
As planned, the pilots just activated #SpaceShipTwo‘s patented feather system, which allows for safe re-entry into Earth’s atmosphere
— Virgin Galactic (@virgingalactic) October 7, 2014
Feathers are back down. #SpaceShipTwo has transformed back into a glide, and is coming in for landing here at the Mojave Air and Spaceport.
— Virgin Galactic (@virgingalactic) October 7, 2014
Pilots Pete Siebold (Scaled) and CJ Sturckow (Virgin Galactic) have landed #SpaceShipTwo safely after another great test flight.
— Virgin Galactic (@virgingalactic) October 7, 2014
Coupled with several good, full duration ground tests of SS2’s rocket motor in recent weeks, today’s flight brings spaceflight closer
— Virgin Galactic (@virgingalactic) October 7, 2014
With the latest successful test flight, Virgin’s founder, billionaire Richard Branson, said his company was “on the verge” of sending passengers to space. Branson told the Science Recorder that he thought Virgin Galactic could reach its goal of sending passengers into space starting next year. Branson plans to be the first civilian passenger aboard the spacecraft from Spaceport America in New Mexico early in 2015. Seven hundred passengers have already signed on to be launched into a low Earth orbit despite the $250,000 price tag.
If successful, Virgin will be the first company in history to privatize space travel.
[Image via NBC News]
